Starmark is undoubtedly a “go-to” destination for bibliophiles, stationery lovers, and increasingly, fountain pen and ink aficionados in Kolkata. Naturally, when Starmark celebrates its 25th year, the city sits up to take note. As someone who has spent half my life browsing and buying from the different Starmark outlets, I
Is there a sudden spurt in religious-themed fountain pens in India? Are most major boutique manufacturers draping their holy cloaks around them in an act of reverence and presenting the image of one popular incarnation after the other because of some sacred compulsion? Has flaunting one’s faith somehow become the
Those were simple, yet exciting times. Especially if you were a youngster going to school. No, we did not have even a fraction of the toys that young children possess these days, but we were content having the few possessions that we had. Fountain pens, among them. Mind you, in
The Maestro, Prof. K C Janardhan has filed his nomination as an independent candidate from the Bangaluru (South) Constituency. Prof Janardhan has been awarded the electoral symbol of a nib with seven rays. Welcoming the decision, he said “It is providential. I have been teaching about the seven elements of
They say that all it takes is a spark to start a wildfire. And if the initial response is any indicator, it will be a wildfire – a wildfire of creative outpouring, made eternal with ink. Sulekha ink to be precise. On the 5th and 6th of April, Sulekha presented
The father-son duo of Hiro and Nihil Motwani is known in the community for making some of the most user-friendly writing instruments in India (both in terms of functionality and pricing). However, as their main focus area has long been that of OEM for some legacy brands in India, which
Inked Happiness: It is now more than a year since William Penn acquired Sheaffer. In terms of sheer legacy, global penetration, and brand recall, the Shaffer takeover was a truly momentous acquisition – the full impact of which, we in India at least, are still to fathom. William Penn too
We are just back from the 1st Chennai Pen Show which was organised by Aditya Bhansali and his team of super-efficient achievers. Well, the platitudes are deliberate – for here was a show that like a pack of trump cards, excelled on all counts. For the habitual nitpickers among us,
Aditya Bhansali was one of the early movers in the fountain pen and ink marketing space in India. His initial forays were marked by the creation of, and the successful running of his e-commerce site www.thepenworld.com , which continues to set the industry standards, apart from enjoying the distinction of
Imagine an army of scribes going to war. Steady, Consistent, Unwavering… Marching in unison. All wearing the same army fatigues. Carrying the same weapons. Armed with imported, functional nibs. XXX But uniformity suppresses creativity, compelling one to conform. And, You had once unfurled the banner of protest. You
The Calcutta Sports Journalists Club (CSJC) celebrated its 69th Foundation Day on December 12th, 2023 at the Club Tent in the Maidan. Present on the occasion were the Secretaries of the three major football clubs – Debasish Dutta of Mohun Bagan, Debabrata Sarkar of East Bengal, and Raju Ahmed of
The Jinhao 9019, Dadao. Some are astounded by the remarkable resemblance to the Namiki Emperor, which has a grail pen status while others are more direct, calling it a replica. But let us not get drawn into that debate and look at this latest offering from Jinhao for what it
