Kolkata, India: Tucked away in a narrow alley of Chowringhee Road in Esplanade, a small yet extraordinary establishment has been quietly mending the writing instruments of generations. The Pen Hospital, as it is fondly known, is not a conventional medical facility but a sanctuary for fountain pens in distress. For 77 years, this shop has been the go-to destination for pen enthusiasts, collectors, and those who cherish the elegance of ink over digital strokes.
At the heart of this unique trade is Mohammad Imtiaz, a third-generation pen doctor who has dedicated his life to the delicate art of restoring and selling fountain pens. His grandfather, Mohammad Samsuddin, first established the Pen Hospital in 1945 after moving to Kolkata from Bihar. Since then, the business has been passed down through the family, with Imtiaz and his late brother, Mohammad Raiz, inheriting it from their father, Mohammad Sultan, in the 1980s. Today, Imtiaz continues to run the shop with his nephew and son, ensuring that the family legacy endures.
The store, though modest in size, boasts an impressive collection of fountain pens, with prices ranging from as little as Rs 20 to a staggering Rs 20,000. Its wooden cupboards house an array of both Indian and international brands, including Parker, Mont Blanc, Pilot, Sheaffer, Waterman, Pierre Cardin, Swan, Wilson, Blackbird, and Pelican. Some of the vintage pens in the shop’s collection date back to the 1930s and 40s, often selling out quickly to eager collectors.
A glass-topped counter doubles as the operation table where Imtiaz, armed with a magnifying lens, meticulously examines and repairs broken nibs and faulty pen pistons. “We have sold vintage pens dating back decades. The stock for antique pens sometimes gets sold out quickly,” he shares while carefully restoring a customer’s treasured writing instrument.
Beyond its role as a repair shop, the Pen Hospital has evolved into a hub for Kolkata’s fountain pen aficionados. Writers, filmmakers, politicians, judges, doctors, journalists, professors, and government officials all form part of its loyal clientele. Among the shop’s most famous patrons was the legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, whose pen was once brought in for repair.
Despite the digital revolution, which has pushed fountain pens to the fringes of everyday use, Imtiaz remains optimistic. “In the age of computers, despite the dwindling number of pen users, there has been a reinvention of the fountain pen among the younger generation in the last couple of years, and this has given us hope,” he says.
For those who still believe in the charm of handwritten words, Kolkata’s Pen Hospital stands as a testament to the enduring beauty of fountain pens and the dedication of those who keep them alive.