Hyderabad’s Fountain Pen Craftsmen and Collectors Keep Writing Traditions Alive
In an era increasingly dominated by digital transcription tools and automated writing software, fountain pen enthusiasts and master artisans in Hyderabad are sustaining the culture of analog writing instruments. Through monthly gatherings and hand-turned penmaking, local collectors and veteran craftsmen continue to promote the art of pens, paper, and ink.
What Happened
Members of the Hyderabad Fountain Pen Club (HFPC) meet on a monthly basis to test, share, and discuss various writing instruments, inks, and paper grades. What began as an online group on Facebook in 2016 expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the club’s first in-person gathering at the Pelikan Hub in 2022. During these meetings, members examine various pen styles, ranging from transparent acrylic models to multi-layered lacquered instruments such as the Pilot Custom Urushi and hand-turned ebonite pens.
Alongside collectors, local artisans in Hyderabad continue the practice of physical pen manufacture. Artisans such as 73-year-old Poona Laxmi Pathi (PLP) and P. Prabhakar Chari of Woodex manufacture customized ebonite writing instruments using traditional lathe machinery and hand-finishing techniques.
Key Highlights
- The Hyderabad Fountain Pen Club was initiated online in 2016, leading to regular monthly meetings starting in 2022.
- Fountain pens crafted from ebonite—a vulcanized rubber developed in the 19th century—are particularly favored by club members due to their durability and ink resistance.
- Master craftsman Poona Laxmi Pathi performs 35 distinct manual operations to manufacture eight to ten pens daily from Chennai-sourced ebonite rods.
- PLP’s brand was formally established in 2021 by his sons, following his six decades of industry experience working with firms like Misak, Hema, Milap, and Deccan Pen Store.
- Woodex proprietor P. Prabhakar Chari produces 25 to 30 serialized pens per month in Masab Tank, serving clients including parliamentarians, legislators, and police officers.
- Club member Nuvvala Srikanth utilized customized nib writing as part of prescribed physical rehabilitation following a health episode that affected the right side of his body.
Why This Matters
The persistence of fountain pen clubs and traditional workshops highlights an ongoing appreciation for tactile craft and physical writing tools. For individual users, writing with tailored nibs serves functional and therapeutic purposes, while master craftsmen preserve mechanical skills acquired through decades of lathe operation and material finishing.
What to Watch Next
While interest among collectors remains active through regular meetups, the future of independent penmaking in Hyderabad faces uncertainty due to a lack of successors. Master craftsman P. Prabhakar Chari noted that there is currently no next generation lined up to learn and continue his specific penmaking trade once his lathe operations cease.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hyderabad Fountain Pen Club?
It is a community formed initially on Facebook in 2016 that gathers monthly in Hyderabad to share, compare, and test fountain pens, papers, and specialized inks.
Why is ebonite commonly used for handmade fountain pens?
Ebonite is a vulcanized rubber developed in the 19th century that is durable, suitable for lathe turning, and does not absorb liquid ink stored inside its barrel.
How many operations are required to make a PLP ebonite pen?
According to master penmaker Poona Laxmi Pathi, crafting a single pen involves 35 distinct operations, including cutting, hand-boring, threading, turning, and hand-polishing.
Source: Information derived from reporting by The Hindu.