MARGAO: Setting the perfect example on how to build a niche career from scratch with nothing but creative talent and dedication, the Colaco brothers – Romeo and Saldie – have made a name for themselves in the field of professional event decoration in Goa.
Now middle-aged, the brothers have always been known for their innovative ideas, which brought them fame and popularity in their village, Gandamorod of Aquém-Baixo, Navelim. The brothers are the first choice in these parts, to create sets and decorations for events such as weddings, Holy Communions, and birthday parties.
While Romeo and Saldie are known figures to many even in the tiatr fraternity today, it is surprising to know that once, they struggled even to buy a piece of thermocol to make decorations. With no financial or educational backing, and just by dint of hard work, the duo has steadily built their business, and now, own a large quantity of materials and props to create decoration sets worth lakhs of rupees, besides providing employment for local youth.
Speaking to OHeraldo, Romeo recalled how the initial stages of their lives were fraught with hardships, as his family was quite poor, and could not spare the funds to launch a business.
“I managed to complete my studies only upto 8th Standard, due to my family’s financial problems. I used to keep busy making decorations at home during my childhood days.
Several people from the village and ward used to come to our home, and request me to do small jobs like decorate their candles for Holy Communion celebrations and cake stands for wedding receptions,” he said.
That’s when his love for tiatr attracted him towards the stage, and he began to dabble in lighting effects and shifted his creative focus to building stage sets for tiatr shows.
“I don’t have any formal training either in the field of lighting effects nor stage setting. Initially, I was never paid a single rupee for setting up these decorations, but it was my love for the art that kept me alive in this field,” he quipped.
After 15 to 20 years in the field, Romeo is now a renowned tiatr decorator in Salcete, and has earned fame and awards for the best light effects as well.
Even as Romeo was tasting small successes in event decoration, his younger brother Saldie also had to pass through a lot of hardships, despite studying up to the 12th Standard and working in the gulf for almost two years.
“After passing the 12th, I managed to work in a garage for a few months. Later, I flew to a gulf country but could not cope there. After returning home, I again got a mechanics job, to repair four-wheelers, but I was slowly pulled towards the artsy field of my brother’s, when I gave in to my talent for making decorations,” said Saldie.
He worked through the bleak times when it was difficult to even purchase basic materials, thanks to his determination to stay true to his art. “Now, people keep calling us with orders or asking us to design decorations for their events, and with the help of my family members, we manage it all. I am happy to report that we’ve reached the stage when we are not just earning to sustain ourselves, but are also able to offer job opportunities to artistic youth,” said Saldie.
