The childhood friend of Kerala expatriate Ismail Ponnan Ibrahim Kutty, who was allegedly murdered in Sharjah following a dispute over a TikTok livestream, has shared emotional memories of the man he knew, as the victim’s body was brought back to India on Thursday.To the public, Ismail has become the center of a tragic story that reportedly 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 murdered after a dispute involving a TikTok live session, with investigators believing that a prolonged online feud turned into a fatal face-to-face confrontation in Sharjah.But for childhood friend Jeevan Ovi, the loss is extremely personal: losing 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 taken 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 she was repeatedly reminded of the family returning home anxiously for the last glimpse of their loved one.Both men had their roots in the same town in Kerala 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 years, Ismail had become an important part of life’s artistic journey.The intricate paintings of Theyyam, Kerala’s age-old ritual art form of life, gained attention online through a time-lapse video. Behind many of those videos was a familiar voice – Ismail’s.Friends say Ismail had a natural ability to connect with people through his story. Her voice added warmth and emotion to the life-like artwork, helping viewers understand the stories behind the colors and traditions being brought to life on canvas.Their cooperation also reflects the spirit of cultural harmony of Kerala. Although Theyyam is closely linked to Hindu traditions and temple culture, Ismail, a Muslim, enthusiastically lent his voice to the project, seeing the art as something beyond religious boundaries.According to Jeevan, Ismail was always ready to help, often recording details about his work schedule in Dubai, Gulf News reported.Several unfinished projects still remain in the artist’s catalog – projects that were meant to showcase Ismail’s voice.“He was never a problematic person,” Jeevan told Gulf News. He said, “If anything, he was the one who tried to resolve issues, not create them. I never saw him getting involved in fights.”Those who knew him describe a man who preferred to resolve disagreements rather than escalate them. Friends have expressed disbelief that a man they remember as quiet and friendly could be linked to such a violent episode.While the circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation, many of Ismail’s loved ones are hoping that the full picture will emerge in the coming weeks.However, right now their focus is on remembering the person behind the news reports.A devoted family man, Ismail leaves behind his wife and young son, as well as countless friends who remember his generosity, humor and willingness to support others.One of them is Jeevan, who has decided to honor 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, many who knew Ismail hope he will be remembered: not as a victim in a widely publicized case, but as a friend, a father, and a voice that left a mark on the lives around him.