Kolkata Pen Utsav 2025: Star of the show— Rs 7 lakh Staedtler gold pen with 18-carat gold nib
Staedtler's exquisite 'Bavaria' pen, adorned with 48 diamonds and featuring a hand-polished 18-karat gold nib and a palladium body with a blue lacquer finish, takes center stage at Pen Utsav 2025 in Kolkata.
The pen's craftsmanship honours Bavaria, the German region where Staedtler originated, making it a masterpiece of precision. With only 48 pieces worldwide, it's a collector's dream.
In its fourth year, the three-day event organised from May 2-4, at ICCR, Kolkata, celebrates the art of writing and penmanship, reviving a timeless tradition in a digital world. 'We wanted to bring people back to the roots of writing,' said Sayak Adhya, the founder of Pen Utsav, while speaking with The Indian Express.
'There's something deeply personal and irreplaceable about handwriting—a kind of emotional intimacy that digital communication lacks,' he added.
Describing the event as a labour of love, Adhya said, 'My goal has always been to revive the fountain pen's legacy in India, not just as a tool, but as a symbol of thoughtfulness and craft.'
The event has evolved into a celebration of tradition, artistry, and the written word, attracting pen makers, writers, and collectors, alike. Nearly 25 stalls have showcased not just products, but stories behind each piece. Vintage exhibits and calligraphy samples added a museum-like charm, transporting visitors to a bygone era and rekindling nostalgia for the art of writing.
Additionally, the brief interactions between the stall owners and visitors fostered connections and hands-on experiences in calligraphy, demonstrations in nib-making, and pen-testing captivated a diverse crowd, from school children to collectors.
The event evoked a strong sense of nostalgia, reminding visitors that handwriting is a reflection of one's identity. The attention people devoted to while selecting pens, testing ink, and writing underscored the emotional connection to this timeless art.
'It's like being transported back to a time when we wrote letters and diaries,' said college student Amrita Mukherjee. 'Holding a fountain pen again reminded me of my grandfather's desk—of summer afternoons spent practicing cursive,' she added.
Rakesh Bhattacharya, a 42-year-old collector, said, 'I bought my first fountain pen at the age of 10. Coming back feels like reconnecting with an old friend…'
Staedtler produces a wide variety of pens — ballpoint and gel pens, fineliners and technical pens — used in art, design, office work.
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