Joining forces

Solo success is hard enough. But partnerships are tougher. Three duos tell us why their creative collabs have been worth it

- Karishma Kuenzang

What has four arms, four legs and two brains?

Any creative duo that has been in a long-running partnership.

In a world that celebrates solo wunderkinds, lone wolves and single-origin success stories, duos are a rare and necessary thing. They’re proof that collaboration can take ideas farther. They’re testament to the power of combined strengths. They show the world that if you can divide the effort, you can multiply the effect.

Two-person teams aren’t always easy. Individual skill sets don’t usually fit together like pieces in a jig-saw puzzle. Temperaments clash when there is no third-party to mediate. Decision-making is tough when there’s no hierarchy. Not all creative journeys are headed to the same destination.

Brunch asked comedians José Covaco and Cyril D’Abs; artists Jiten Thukral and Sumir Tagra; and Bengaluru fitness coaches Swetha Subbiah and Tanvie Hans (of Sisters in Sweat) what it takes to be a part of a power duo.

Racing to the punchline

José Covaco & Cyril D'Abs
Comedians. Collaborating for 10 years

José Covaco, 41, and Cyril D’Abs, 43, got acquainted in the 2000s when they both began working at a radio station and bonded over the game Counterstrike. “The first day I met José, he gave me attitude,” says D’Abs, laughing. “But our outlook was similar. We were both on the same level of stupidity.”

They’ve turned that stupidity into a roaring, guffawing success online. Covaco has 446k followers on Instagram and is the face of the duo,. D’Abs, with 49.3k followers does the content planning and makes occasional appearances in the videos.