A unique pens-through-the-ages exhibition in Lucknow

For pen lovers, it will be a unique peep into history.

From Friday, the Uttar Pradesh capital will host the first "Pen Exhibition" of its kind in the country. While the fortnight-long event will chronicle the history of pens, on display will be a range of pens costing anything from Rs.1,000 to a whopping Rs.40,000, said Universal Booksellers, the organiser and one of the oldest book shops in Lucknow.

The idea, bookshop owner Chander Prakash said, was to take people "into times when pens were so very relevant" and to encourage youngsters into the "charming world of writing".

Major pen brands - Sheaffer, Lamy, Fisher Space, Rubinato and Caran d' Ache from Switzerland and Sailorpen from Japan - are taking part in the exhibition.

One of the companies has used wood to make pens for 100 years.

Then there are pens made from the feathers of ostriches and pheasants from Turkey, Prakash told IANS.

High-end pens like the Italian Visconti and Europe's Cross will also be made available for sale.

"The range will be the first of its kind to be seen and displayed anywhere in India possibly," Prakash said.

He said invites were being sent on social networking sites.

Other than the exhibition of pens, visitors would learn about the rich history of pens that began some 5,000 years ago.

Reed pens, how they were replaced by feather quills, fountain pens, ball points... everything will be on display.

The Bic Cristal ballpoint can produce a line two kilometres long, said Manoj Kumar Mishra, a senior officer with William Penn, a joint organiser.

"Visitors would love to know how the first writing instruments were... created by the Sumerians several thousand years ago," he said.

"In today's world, getting connected to the glory of pens would be a rather satisfying feeling," added Prakash.

The high point of the exhibition is the Ganesha Quill pen, exclusive to India.

The quill pen - a big, primary flight-feather from the wing of a large bird - has a special trademark Ganesha and comes with a metallic finish.

It will also be the perfect occasion to get some of the pens as Diwali gifts.

"This Diwali, a gift like an exclusive pen could be a gift for loved ones to cherish, use and preserve," says Amritanshu Yadav, a young graduate who is among those eagerly waiting for the exhibition to open.

(Mohit Dubey can be contacted at mohit.d@ians.in)