KATHMANDU: Celebrated Nepal Bhasa poet Purna Vaidya has died of coronavirus infection. He was 80.

Vaidya, who was admitted to Nidan Hospital in Lalitpur after falling ill on August 20, was also diagnosed with COVID-19.

Vaidya, who died while undergoing treatment, was cremated at Pashupati Aryaghat on Friday, according to family sources.

Vaidya, who was born in Chochen Tol of Bhaktapur on the day of Janai Purnima in 1997 BS, received the first literary award in Nepal Bhasa, Shrestha Sirpa: in 2021 for his anthology of Sarasu poems.

In 2076 BS, he was also awarded the Vaidya Nhuj: Progressive Literature Award.