Kolkata, Jan 3 (IANS): Eminent Bengali litterateur and Sahitya Akademi awardee Dibyendu Palit died at a private hospital here on Thursday following old age complications, his family said.

Palit, 79, a widower, leaves behind his only son.

Palit, who was equally prolific as a poet, short story writer and novelist, was hospitalised on Wednesday after his condition deteriorated.

Born on March 5, 1939, in Bihar's Bhagalpur, Palit's first short story was published in the Sunday edition of the daily Anandabazar Patrika.

He shifted base to Kolkata (then called Calcutta) in 1958, and joined the Hindustan Standard as an assistant editor. Later, he was also associated with the advertisement world.

Palit received the Bankim Purashkar in 1990 for his novel 'Dheu'. Another novel 'Anubhab' fetched him the coveted Sahitya Akademi award eight years later.

Several of his short stories and novels were adapted for stage and screen.

Dadasaheb Pahalke award winning director Tapan Sinha made his much acclaimed film 'Antardhana' based a short story written by Palit.

Condoling Palit's death, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted: "Saddened at the passing away of veteran writer Dibyendu Palit. My condolences to his family and admirers".