(Kompas/Ingki Rinaldi)

Suyadi, veteran artist, storyteller and puppeteer who created the 1980's hit TV series Si Unyil, has died on Friday evening at 82 years old due to a lung infection.

Ilona, Suyadi's granddaughter, said that her grandfather died at 10.20 p.m at Pelni Hospital in Petamburan, West Jakarta, after being admitted to the hospital at midday on Friday.

Suyadi was more commonly known as Pak Raden, a character he created for the Si Unyil series, whose trademarks were a thick mustache and blankon (Javanese traditional hat).

"He was taken care of in the intensive care unit. There was a serious infection in his right lung. He also had a fever," Ilona told kompas.com.

Suyadi was scheduled to open the 2015 Indonesia International Storytelling Festival at the National Museum on Saturday.

The festival's committee, which is being held from Oct. 31 to Nov 1, will play videos of Pak Raden in memory of him as well as award him with a posthumous recognition for his vast contribution to children's education in the country. (rin)(+)

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