Kottarakkara: Amidst the intense heat and scent of burning firewood, a young woman uses a long iron rod to tend to the blazing funeral pyre with a steady hand. At the Prasad Mandir in Kochalummoodu in Kollam, 27-year-old Arya Prasad performs her duties with remarkable composure.

Arya is the daughter of Prasad (52), who has served for decades as the karmi (priest who performs last rites) in the Mylom Karayogam. With no one else to assist him, Arya stepped into the cremation grounds to support her father. After completing her Plus Two and IT studies, she began working in marketing, when she chose to assist her father in his duties.

Her decision came when she saw her father struggling to find someone to accompany him to conduct last rites in Perungulam. Arya simply said, “I’ll come with you, dad.” With the full support of her mother Ambili, she began her journey as his assistant.

From digging the burial pit and preparing the pyre with vetiver roots, to placing the body correctly and breaking the ritual pot of water, Arya stands by her father throughout the entire process. As Prasad often suffers from ill-health, it is Arya who remains near the pyre for extended periods. She takes part in all the rituals—from the first offering to the final immersion of the ashes. Though onlookers are initially surprised, they eventually come to accept her presence.

To those who question why Prasad brought his daughter into such a line of work, it is Arya who responds, “I do this with joy. I will continue as long as neither my family nor the Karayogam objects. Although the grief of families at funerals can be overwhelming, I close my eyes for a moment, gather my strength, and carry on.”

Prasad, who has been a karmi with the Mylom Karayogam for 38 years, expresses nothing but pride in his daughter. “She knows all the rites and rituals,” he says with admiration.

Arya has a sibling - a younger sister, Anjali - who is currently working as an engineer in Hyderabad.