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STORIES ABOUT TRISSUR PENS HONEST PEN HOSPITAL, TRISSUR. A rare credit of repairing THREE AND A HALF LAKH pens in a span of more than 70 years. This include pens from various national leaders like Indira Gandhi, APJ Abdul Kalaam, poets like Mahakavi Vailoppilly, Kunjunny Mash and many lawyers and doctors. Not bad, no? Well, this credit goes to the Honest Pen Hospital, Trissur or simply “Pen hospital” as it is known. Established in 1940, this Pen Hospital have survived the emergence of all modern technology, and still going well. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/10551820873_38838a9160.jpg 20131026_180407 by mohancv, on Flickr PEN HOSPITAL, TRISUR. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2805/10551594326_4d6ebbd243.jpg 20131026_180504 by mohancv, on Flickr CONSULTING TIME. When compared to Calicut, Trissur pen stories are not as eventful, but equally interesting. Note that the purpose of starting this HOSPITAL was repairing pens and still going on this for purpose ( of course along with sales). And as the hospital well progressed along with the technology of ball pens, gel pens and various others , there was never a hiccough, unlike Calicut pens. But note that Ebonite pens were made in some part of history, we’ll come to that later. Probably we can divide the whole period into 3 phases. Phase 1 – 1940 – 1950 .The Start. Phase 2 - 1950 – late 1970s . Era of pen production. Phase 3 – late 1970s to present. Modern era. ABOUT TRISSUR (TRICHUR) Those who do not know about Trichur, it’s a city located in the central region of Kerala built around a small hill called Thekkinkadu. It is here the famous Vadakkunnathan temple is situated. Having rich heritage of culture and spirituality, its known as the Cultural capital of Kerala. For outsiders ,Trissur is known for its Trissur Pooram, the most celebrated festival of Kerala. Phase 1 – 1940 – 1950 .The Start. Well, coming to the pen stories, it all started with this person, Kaalathodu Kolothu parambil Abdulla. Though a native of Trissur, from child hood he was working in a pen company in Calcutta. When he wanted to come back Trissur, he decided to start a pen repair centre here. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5527/10551595616_7705d6363b.jpg 20131026_180526 by mohancv, on Flickr KKP Abdulla- The founder of Pen Hospital. Remember, its pen repair shop- not pen production. Now he started “ HONEST PEN HOSPITAL” or “ Pen Hospital” as it is known in early 1940s. It was located in St.Thomas college road, Trissur. From that time onwards many patients got admitted, many surgeries ,transplants, IV transfusions have done. As hospital progressed he had some idea of making pens. Compared to Calicut pen stories , some important differences are here. This shop have no followers or competitors. Its unique and only one of its kind. The main purpose of starting this shop is for repair of pens , and it’s still going on. The repair not only limited to fountain pens but to any type of pens. Unlike Calicut pen shops, he progressed himself along with the technologies- he can repair any ball pens, gel pens or highlighter or anything- the sail was rather smooth.Phase 2 - 1950 – late 1970s . Era of pen making PEN MAKING Around ten years after opening the shop he wanted to start making pens. The “machine “ for pen making was rather interesting. It’s a huge thing made of wood. The only metal part was a “chuck” on with a rod of ebonite is attached. When you push the two pedals situated underneath the chair, the chuck start to turn. Then with a sharp chisel, you shape the pen. For making threads , there is a “chisel with tooths”. It took two to three days to make one pen. Clearly it was a very primitive mechanism when compared to Calicut pens. Can I call this “ hand leg made pen” instead of handmade pen? Abdulla himself was making these pens along with repair works with out any helpers, so only very little pens were made and surviving examples are a rare thing today. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3830/10551642164_fa85f6ec7e.jpg 20131028_175316 by mohancv, on Flickr This is a huge pen produced during late phase. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7300/10551605546_92864dddfb.jpg 20131028_175342 by mohancv, on Flickr Compared to a Wality. At least three or four models of these pens were made(and probably more).Collecting them may be next to impossible because of low volumes produced. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3729/10551580635_5a69e21a63.jpg 20131026_180544 by mohancv, on Flickr This is a Small pen. During this phase this shop was shifted to the present building in the Townhall Road. It was in 1959. Pen production continued here up to around middle of 70s. Phase 3 – late 1970s to present. Modern era. From around 1970s Abdulla’s son Mr. Nazar, who pursues all his fathers taste, is in charge of this shop. A soft spoken man with great hand skills. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/10551576815_67e8e424d0.jpg 20131026_180443 by mohancv, on Flickr NAZAR at work in his shop. Mr. Nazar has some unique instruments that he developed for repairing pens and making spare parts for pen. And so his work are very economical to people. He made my 4 Parker 51s to a usable state by changing sacs, smoothening nibs etc,etc. I always used to wonder how skillfully he takes out a ball from a damaged ball pen nib and putting a new one inside even with out the help of a microscope, that too with in seconds. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7421/10551640894_accd0f1c3d.jpg 20131026_180624 by mohancv, on Flickr Some of the tools used in Pen Hospital. For him pens are like children. If you come here with a misused pen (even if it is your pen) he would never be soft spoken any more! In his opinion if in your hand there is a well tuned and well flowing fountain pen, ideas comes to your mind very easily. That’s why poets prefer fountain pen! And when he says , I believe it. Next time when your beloved pen gets involved in an accident or requires some major surgery or even a transplant, you know where your ambulance should go! Thanks for reading, Mohan.