COIMBATORE: At a time when writing by hand has given way to keyboards and touchscreens, a two-day pen exhibition in the city is drawing visitors ranging from curious children to senior citizens, reviving interest in the humble writing instrument.The India Pen Show by MPM Stationery began at Bharathi Park on Saturday. Around 26 traders, including three to four manufacturers from Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and other parts of the country, are showcasing their collections.About 80% of the exhibits are fountain pens, with handcrafted pieces, speciality nibs and customised designs attracting considerable attention.Nibs made of titanium and silver, along with pens featuring intricately crafted bodies, are among the highlights. Local manufacturers are also represented. There are handcrafted fountain and ballpoint pens designed in Kovilpalayam.ASA Pens displays handcrafted pens fitted with nibs imported from Germany, with cartridge, converter and complete filling options. Other varieties like the coffee-themed pen, with a refill carrying coffee aroma, are available in mild and strong variants. Other displays include Waterman and Swiss Cross pens.The exhibition features a special series themed around Operation Sindoor, along with Ash and Cosmos concepts.Customisation of pens’ bodies was a key attraction. Chandru, director of WOW Pens, said, “We can customise the pen body using anything even the ashes of your beloved one. None of us would feel comfortable carrying the entire ash but when it’s converted into a stylish pen, it will definitely become a beautiful memory.”Calligraphy artists are also conducting interactive sessions to introduce children to the art of handwriting.Sowmya Ayyar, a visitor from Madhampatty, came across the exhibition through an Instagram post. A published poet, she said writing with a pen or pencil offered a different intellectual experience. “Using a pen and pencil engages the hand and mind differently. It is not the same as working on gadgets,” she said.With businesses now largely abandoning handwritten accounts and even cheque usage declining after the Covid-19 pandemic, the pen may have become less essential—but the exhibition suggests it has not lost its charm.
