Murtoza Bashir

• Name — Murtaja Baseer • Native Name — মুর্তজা বশীর • Born — 17 August 1932 • Birthplace — Dhaka, Bengal Presidency, British India • Died — 15 August 2020 • Place of death — Dhaka, Bangladesh • Resting Place — Banani Graveyard • Occupation — Painter • Father — Muhammad Shahidullah • Relatives — Muhammad Takiullah (brother) • Education — * University of Dhaka • Academy of Fine Arts of Florence • École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts • Awards — full list

Baseer was born to Muhammad Shahidullah and Marguba Khatun. His father, Shahidullah was a scholar and a linguist. Baseer enrolled in Dacca Art College (now the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka) in 1949. After graduating in 1954, he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts of Florence from 1956 to 1958. He also studied mosaic and etching at École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts (ENSBA) in Paris from 1971 to 1973.

• Illustration — Baseer with Zainul Abedin in 1962 Baseer joined University of Chittagong as an assistant professor of fine arts, upon his return from France in 1973, and served until his retirement, as a professor of fine arts, in 1998. He was active in leftist politics during the 1950s and was also sent to prison prior to Bangladesh's liberation.

Baseer has written several novels including Ultramarine (1954), Kanch-er Pakhir Gaan (1969), Mitar Shangey Char Shandha and Amitakkhar. He was a regular contributor to now defunct literary journals like Dilruba, Samakal, and Saogat. His first published poem was Parbe Na. In 1964, he was the screenwriter, art director, and chief assistant director on the 1965 Bengali film Nadi O Nari (The River and the Women). He was also art director for the 1965 Urdu film Kaise Kahoon. His work Mudra O Shilalipir Aloke Banglar Habshi Sultan O Tothkalin Samaj was published in 2004. Several articles by Baseer have also been published in the Journal of the Numismatic Society of India.

Baseer died from an infection with COVID-19 in Dhaka on 15 August 2020, at the age of 87, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh, two days before his 88th birthday. He had sought treatment at Evercare Hospital. After Baseer died, he was interred at Banani graveyard, next to his wife, Amina Baseer.

The authorities additionally record the headings Murtaja Baseer and Murtajā Baśīra. His recorded language was Bangla. He was the child of Muhammad Shahidullah.