Arun Mariavilasm grew up as a deaf child in a hearing family. During his childhood, there was a lack of awareness regarding the needs of deaf children of hearing parents with a migration history. These circumstances led to language deprivation and numerous barriers, including linguistic discrimination, racism, queerphobia, ableism, and audism.

It wasn’t until his teenage years that he gained access to sign languages (ÖGS, DGS und International Sign) and recognized being deaf as a cultural identity. Arun navigates between different identities, experiencing various forms of discrimination within a dominant society that often overlooks individuals‘ multiple affiliations. Despite these societal challenges, he has learned to define his joy as an act of resistance. Now living in Berlin, Arun celebrates his identity, even though the reality for deaf people with a migration history is still marked by many struggles.

At Ballhaus Naunynstraße, Arun participates as a panelist in the panel Widerständiges Feiern IV: Widerstand und Feiern aus Tauber BIPoC Perspektive (2025), developed by Fabienne Mahwane.