Pens, ink, and paper are now objects of beauty

More than a Conversation Starter

What began as nostalgia for another time has evolved into something deeper, a movement towards slowness and sustainability. “Many people who had taken up fountain pens during the pandemic continue writing with them,” says Ganguly. “While for some fountain pens, like analogue watches, are an accessory, something to be used as a conversation starter, something to be flaunted as a style statement. Some others are readopting them for the sheer pleasure of writing, while for many it is a placard of protest against this digitally damned existence, a stand against wanton plastic pollution.”

It is not just the makers driving this change, but the people who use and champion their work. “The community of users, collectors, and hobbyists is a vibrant one,” Ganguly explains. “It has done wonders in spreading awareness about the advantages of handwriting and fountain pens. New users are regularly attracted, experiences shared, and the demand for fountain pens is spurred, which in turn attracts new manufacturers to invest, unleashing a multiplier effect down the ink stream.”

Among the artisans leading this revival is Arun Singhi, founder of Lotus Pens in Mumbai, whose hand-turned writing instruments are known for their precision and poise. Crafted from ebonite, cellulose acetate, brass, and acrylic, each pen carries a distinct personality, fitted with German-engineered nibs from JoWo or Bock. “Each Lotus pen,” he says, “is conceived with meticulous attention to the harmony between material, silhouette, and balance. Lotus achieves a seamless fusion where the pen becomes an effortless extension of the hand; the flow of ink is like a well-orchestrated symphony.” For Singhi, the act of making mirrors the act of writing—thoughtful, measured, and rooted in craft. “Lotus stands as a prominent standard-bearer of Indian artisanal pen-making, with its approach deeply informed by traditional techniques of hand-turning, inlay, and finishing. Owners describe the object taking on deeper meaning: as a personal artefact imbued with stories and intent,” he adds.

Nibs are Forever

In Kanpur, Kanwrite brings another perspective, one defined by legacy and engineering. Established in 1986 by Laxmi Shankar Awasthi and now led by his sons Pradeep and Sandeep Awasthi, Kanwrite began as a small nib-making workshop before evolving into one of the few Indian brands to manufacture every component of a fountain pen in-house. “At Kanwrite, the nib defines the pen,” says Sandeep Awasthi. “Creating one is a meticulous process involving twenty-five steps to craft the nib, followed by forty additional steps for assembly and testing. Each nib, made from 14K gold, stainless steel, or titanium, is stamped under pressures of up to 18 tons and expertly moulded. Our artisans then hand-grind the durable iridium tip to achieve the ideal width and size. Once assembled, every nib undergoes rigorous testing, not only for smoothness but also for the sound it produces while gliding across paper. Only nibs that write flawlessly and produce a consistent, uninterrupted sound pass this exacting inspection.”

The paper, too, has evolved beyond utility. Origin One, Rubberband, and other Indian stationery brands design notebooks that honour the tactility of writing, thick pages that welcome the bleed of ink, stitched spines that open flat, covers that feel like cloth or grain. Each detail reinforces the pleasure of the process.