A childhood friend of Kerala expatriate Ismail Ponnan Ibrahim Kutty, who was allegedly murdered in Sharjah following a dispute reportedly linked to a TikTok livestream, has shared emotional memories of the man he knew, as the victim’s body was repatriated to India on Thursday.To the public, Ismail has become the centre of a tragic story that allegedly began on social media and ended in a fatal confrontation on a Sharjah street.Kutty, a 40-year-old Kerala expatriate working in the UAE, was allegedly killed following a dispute linked to a TikTok Live session, with investigators believing a prolonged online feud escalated into a fatal face-to-face confrontation in Sharjah.But for childhood friend Jeevan OV, the loss is deeply personal: the loss of a trusted companion, a creative collaborator and someone he never associated with violence.When Jeevan visited the embalming centre in Sharjah before Ismail’s body was flown home to Kerala, he was overwhelmed by the reality that their decades-long friendship had come to an abrupt end.More than a week had passed since the incident, and his thoughts kept returning to the family waiting anxiously back home for one final glimpse of their loved one.The two men shared roots in the same Kerala town and spent part of their school years together. Even after moving to the UAE in search of better opportunities, they remained connected through friendship and a shared passion for storytelling.Over the past few years, Ismail had become an important part of Jeevan’s artistic journey.Jeevan’s intricate paintings of Theyyam, Kerala’s centuries-old ritual art form, gained attention online through time-lapse videos. Behind many of those videos was a familiar voice — Ismail’s.Friends say Ismail had a natural ability to connect with people through his narration. His voice added warmth and emotion to Jeevan’s artwork, helping viewers understand the stories behind the colours and traditions being brought to life on canvas.Their collaboration also reflected the spirit of Kerala’s cultural harmony. Though Theyyam is closely linked to Hindu traditions and temple culture, Ismail, a Muslim, enthusiastically lent his voice to the project, seeing art as something that transcended religious boundaries.According to Jeevan, Ismail was always willing to help, often recording narrations around his work schedule in Dubai, Gulf News reported.Several unfinished projects still remain on the artist’s list — projects that were meant to feature Ismail’s voice.“He was never a problematic person,” Jeevan told Gulf News. “If anything, he was the one who tried to solve issues, not create them. I had never known him to be involved in fights,” he said.Those who knew him describe a man who preferred resolving disagreements rather than escalating them. Friends have expressed disbelief that someone they remember as calm and approachable became linked to such a violent episode.While investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding his death, many of Ismail’s loved ones are hoping that the complete picture will emerge in the coming weeks.For now, however, their focus remains on remembering the man behind the news reports.A devoted family man, Ismail leaves behind his wife and young son, along with countless friends who remember his generosity, humour and willingness to support others.Among them is Jeevan, who has decided to honour his friend in the way he knows best, through art.In the coming days, he plans to paint Ismail’s portrait, creating a lasting tribute to the friend whose voice helped bring dozens of his works to life.Long after the headlines fade, that is how many who knew Ismail hope he will be remembered: not as a victim in a widely discussed case, but as a friend, a father and a voice that left an imprint on the lives around him.
