An Indian expatriate was killed in Sharjah
A childhood friend of Kerala expatriate Ismail Poonan Ibrahim Kutty, who was allegedly killed in Sharjah after a dispute said to be related to a TikTok live stream, shared emotional memories of the man he knew, as the victim’s body was returned to India on Thursday.For the public, Ismail became the focus 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 expatriate from Kerala working in the UAE, was allegedly killed after a dispute linked to a TikTok Live session, as investigators believe a long-running online dispute escalated into a fatal face-to-face confrontation in Sharjah.But for childhood friend Jeevan O.V., 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 center in Sharjah before Ismail’s body was flown to Kerala, he was overwhelmed by the fact that their decades-long friendship had come to an abrupt end.It had been more than a week since the incident, and his thoughts kept returning to the family who were waiting impatiently at home for a final glimpse of their loved ones.The two men share roots in the same Kerala city and spend part of their school years together.
Even after they moved to the UAE in search of better opportunities, they stayed connected through friendship and a shared passion for storytelling.Over the past few years, Ismail has become an important part of Jeevan’s artistic journey.Jeevan’s intricate paintings of Thiyam, a centuries-old ritual art form in Kerala, have gained attention online through follow-up videos. Behind many of those videos was a familiar voice – Ismail’s voice.Friends say Ismail had a natural ability to connect with people through his storytelling. His voice added warmth and emotion to Jeevan’s artwork, helping viewers understand the stories behind the colors and traditions brought to life on canvas.Their collaboration also reflects the spirit of cultural harmony in Kerala. Although Thiyam is closely associated with Hindu traditions and temple culture, Ismail, a Muslim, enthusiastically lent his voice to the project, seeing art as something that transcends religious boundaries.According to Jeevan, Ismail was always willing to help, and would often record accounts about his work schedule in Dubai, Gulf News reported.There are still several unfinished projects on the artist’s list, projects that were supposed to feature Ismail’s voice.“He was never a troublemaker,” Jeevan told Gulf News. “He was the one who tried to solve problems, not create them. I never knew him involved in fights,” he said.Those who knew him describe him as a man who preferred resolving disputes rather than escalating them. Friends expressed disbelief that someone they remembered as calm and friendly would become linked to such a violent incident.While investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death continue, many of Ismail’s loved ones hope the full picture will emerge in the coming weeks.But for now, their focus remains on remembering the man behind the news reports.A devoted family man, Ishmael leaves behind his wife and young son, along with countless friends who remember his generosity, sense of humor and willingness to support others.Among them is Jeevan, who decided to honor his friend the way he knew how, through art.In the coming days, he plans to paint a portrait of Ishmael, a lasting tribute to the friend whose voice helped bring dozens of his works to life.Long after the headlines have faded, 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 who left a mark on the lives of those around him.
