MARGAO: Magdalin Inas Caitan Moura, a 63-year-old resident of Copreamoddi, Assolda, has turned retirement into a remarkable journey that transformed her passion for flower-making into her primary source of livelihood.
In 1984, Magdalin relocated to Oman, where she worked for a warm-hearted Arab family, assisting them in maintaining their home. It was in 2007 that she stumbled upon her hidden talent for crafting flowers while experimenting with waste fish scales. “I would collect discarded materials like large fish scales from my employer’s kitchen, bring them to my room, and try to fashion something beautiful out of them,” recalls Moura. With no formal training in flower-making, she honed her technique through trial and error, using household tools and finding beauty and potential in materials sourced from her employer’s house.
The turning point came when, on her employer’s daughter’s birthday, Magdalin presented her with a flower she had handcrafted. The young girl was enamoured by the gesture, and very impressed with Magdalin’s skill, and told all her friends, sparking demand for Magdalin’s creations. For the first time, Magdalin had a side-hustle, and would make a tidy sum selling custom-crafted flowers.
“In 2010, I was compelled to leave my job in Oman and return to Goa, to care for my ailing mother,” she explains. “Yet, my generous employers in Oman continue to support me financially, for which I am deeply grateful.”
While Magdalin excelled in various crafts, including sewing, crochet and embroidery, she now focuses solely on flower making due to time constraints. However, she plans to accept orders for sofa cushion covers in the near future. For her floral creations, Magdalin utilises unconventional natural materials like fish scales, wild mushrooms,
broomsticks, coconut husk, and dried wood. She lives with her sister, Conçeição Moura, who assists her in sourcing some of these materials.
Despite facing health challenges that limit her ability to gather materials outdoors, Magdalin’s creations are a testament to her creativity and attention to detail. Unfortunately, her work remains relatively unknown, despite its stunning beauty and eco-friendly nature. “Although I sell my flowers at a few stores in Margão, the earnings are insufficient for my family’s basic needs and household maintenance,” she laments.
Magdalin expresses gratitude to a close friend from Assolda who facilitated her participation in a handicraft exhibition in 2014 and to Gema Fernandes of Cotta, Chandor, who helped publicise her work during Christmas 2023. “My work is time-consuming, but it brings me joy,” she affirms. Magdalin’s day begins with preparing her materials in the morning, followed by crafting flowers from 10 pm to 5 am every day.
She also welcomes the opportunity to rent out her creations to decorators for events, offering a glimpse of her intricate artistry to a wider audience. Despite facing challenges and lack of support from her village, Magdalin remains steadfast in her pursuit of happiness through her artistic endeavors.
