Welcome to thermocol artist Christopher D'Silva's world of make-believe. While most of us are familiar with those colourful designs that form part of every Ganesh mandal's pandal decorations, what separates D'Silva's craft from them is the versatility of designs. `Contact if creativity really matters' says his visiting card and D'Silva affirms that he means it. Christmas scenes of reindeer-drawn sleighs, nativity scenes, party decor and window dressing, all form part of D'Silva's repertoire.

But why did this diploma-holder in applied art choose the unconventional career of a thermocol designer? ``Initially, I was interested in pure arts but knew it was an impracticable way of earning a living. So I had made up my mind to join an advertising agency.'' Meanwhile, his hobby of making thermocol decorations for the church during feast days saw other offers pouring in.

And then he got his big break. ``Someone who had seen my work, recommended it to the Hotel Blue Diamond, for their Christmas and New Year decorations. Before this, my work had always been on a small-scale so it was a little daunting to think big,'' he says. Today, many such decorations and projects later, size is no problem. ``Every new job is a learning experience,'' believes D'Silva, whose agency, Chris Arts, operates from a small room on Boottee Street.

``I usually work on a given theme, work out my own ideas on paper and then my team of four workers carry it out,'' he says. A special kind of high density thermocol sheets ranging from 25 mm - 500 mm thick, forms the basic material. The concept, once finalised on paper, is drawn on to the thermocol. It is then cut into the desired shape using a sharp blade. A coat of poster colours or spray paint is deftly applied to the decoration. A sprinkling of foil dust and a few frills of foil paper for the finishing touches and the decoration is ready.

D'Silva thinks his most challenging job was the one he designed for a fashion show last year. ``The theme was outer space, so we tried out many concepts. Finally we settled on a set which included an Unidentified Flying Object made of thermocol with flashing lights from which the models would descend to the stage. It took a lot of effort to make those flying saucers,'' he remembers.

A big decoration may take as many as two weeks to complete, with each part painstakingly carved to be assembled at the venue later. Christmas and New Year's eve are the busiest time of the year. ``Now, with so many events happening in the city, people are becoming more aware for the need for decor. I also get orders from Mumbai and Goa,'' he says. Now surely that is a sign that D'Silva is `cut out' for success?