A master of fountain pen in Dhaka's Baitul Mukarram Mosque Market

The concept of a pen with a self-contained ink reservoir can be traced back to ancient times, and the early modern form of it is the fountain pen. 

The use of fountain pens started to become obsolete in the late 1950s with the introduction of ballpoint pens. Today, fountain pens continue to enjoy a dedicated following. 

While ballpoint and gel pens dominate the mainstream market, fountain pens cater to those who value the tactile experience of writing. But the repairmen of fountain pens are dwindling; a few of them remain in service in Bangladesh.

One of them is Mustafa Kamal Pasha, a professional fountain pen repairer. He pursued his fortune in other professions at various times, but it led him to his 40-year-long association with fountain pens. 

He has seen the golden age of fountain pens, and fountain pens are still his companion to this day. While the new generation is forgetting the fountain pen, Mustafa Kamal Pasha runs a small shop in Dhaka's Baitul Mukarram Mosque Market. To antique fountain pen collectors, Mustafa Kamal is dubbed as the 'Master of Fountain Pen'.

Mustafa Kamal Pasha, nicknamed Mohabbat, was born in Munshiganj. His journey was full of hurdles. 

After an initial career in the Bangladesh Ansar, Mustafa joined a pen shop in 1985. His career in fountain pen repair began when he borrowed 4000 taka from his uncle, stepping into the repair business. Challenges were aplenty, from market obstacles to police interference. 

Despite difficulties, Mustafa ventured into pen repair, left, and returned, adding mobile and computer services along the way. In 2019, he embraced his true calling, focusing solely on fountain pens.

In the face of adversity, Mustafa turned to social media, tapping into the newfound interest of the younger generation in fountain pens.

His versatile skills extend beyond repairs; he curates a collection, occasionally selling pens and inks to enthusiasts. With an increased online presence post-Covid, Mustafa's popularity has soared.

Mustafa's line of work is quite versatile. Sometimes, he has to make a broken pen fully usable. He can solve almost all pen problems, including broken nibs and fixing different parts. But he repairs not only fountain pens but all kinds of pens.

Although Mohabbat Mostafa is primarily a fountain pen repairer, he has more experience than other repairmen, and many collectors rely on him to buy pens. He himself sells little, mainly pens and inks, from his shop collection to those who are interested. 

He sometimes posts pictures of the pen on his Facebook page 'Akaru আঁকারু', and if anyone likes it, he can collect it from the store or order via courier.

Though the fountain pen business has its joys and troubles, Mustafa remains dedicated. Despite being primarily a fountain pen repairer, he maintains reasonable service charges, emphasizing customer satisfaction over financial gains.

For him, his life revolves around simplicity, family, and the pursuit of his craft. As he navigates the delicate balance of preserving the fountain pen profession and adapting to the changing times, Mustafa envisions spending the rest of his life ensuring maximum customer satisfaction and keeping the art of fountain pens alive.

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