Guwahati, Sept. 2: Eminent writer Nalinidhar Bhattacharya, 95, passed away at 4 this morning at a private hospital here.

Bhattacharya was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday evening following breathing problems and fever. He was kept in the critical care unit.

Bhattacharya, an acclaimed poet, prose-writer, critic and academician, is survived by two sons, two daughters, three daughters-in-law and four grandchildren. His second son predeceased him.

During his last days, Bhattacharya's health had deteriorated and he had stopped writing. He lived at Rupnagar in the city.

Bhattacharya was born at Melenghat village in Upper Assam's Jorhat district. His parents were so poor that at times they could only afford bananas for meals.

But Bhattacharya was fortunate to have eminent writer Ananda Chandra Barua in the village. Barua, who used to stage plays and organise other literary activities, left an indelible impact on his tender mind and inspired him to be a writer.

Bhattacharya's brother, Birendra Kumar, was the first Assamese to bag the Jnanpith Award for his novel Mritunjoy.

Bhattacharya's first poetry collection, Ei Kuwolite, was published in 1979, at the age of 58. Before that he wrote regularly in magazines like Joyonti, Posowa, Ramdhenu, Nabayug and Abahan. His poems reflected the pain, anguish and desperation of the poor and threw light on the harsh reality of society. His write-ups also reflected his dissatisfaction with the government. Many describe him as a person who endorsed the Left ideology.

Mohot Oitijyo, for which Bhattacharya was honoured with the Sahitya Akademi award, is a collection of several thought-provoking articles on diverse issues and personalities, Greek plays, William Shakespeare and T.S. Eliot, among others.

Asam Sahitya Sabha, the largest literary body in the state, declared a three-day mourning from today. During this period, the Sabha's flag will fly half-mast in all its nine regional offices.

"After popular writer Mahim Bora, who passed away last month, another gentle giant leaves. I met him quite late in life and only a few times, but felt his silent warmth all the same. Besides being a poet and a critic of repute, Bhattacharya was a great soul," wrote writer Apurba Sarma on Facebook.

Forest minister Pramila Rani Brahma visited Bhattacharya's home this morning to pay tribute to the poet.

"We know him as the guardian of the litterateurs of Assam. His death is an irreparable loss to the state. Once we used to recite his poems. I would not have been able to forgive myself if I didn't pay tribute to him at this moment," she said.

Bhattacharya had also penned many songs. Most of them were set to tune and sung by his son Rajiv for the All India Radio.

Singer Loknath Goswami described Bhattacharya as Yudhisthir, the eldest of the five Pandava siblings known for qualities like honesty, justice and sagacity. "There are few like him who can write without any compromise," he said.

Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, cabinet minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Bodo Sahitya Sabha, the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti and Ulfa (Independent) are among those who have lamented Bhattacharya's death.

Bhattacharya was cremated this afternoon at Navagraha crematorium with state honours.