“Hey, chithhi, you are so outdated!” my niece grumbled sweetly as I reached out for my notebook and pen to jot down a few reminders about what we were discussing.
At the same time, my thoughts were in a different zone. Writing has been my passion since school days. I scribbled poems, stories, and quotes and took note of everything I saw or read in my favorite diaries that were received as gifts each new year! I remember I carried the diary, my precious possession, in my school bag as well.
The “balpam,“ or the first primitive version of the chalk, was introduced to me during “baby” class. I used it with love and care on the slate, which had a pink (my favorite colour) border. I moved on to using coloured chalks on the same slate till I reached the “first standard.”
To get the tripod grasp on the first ink pen was thrilling; the first day I held a real blue ink pen, I felt proud! I never left a page blank on any of my books! The first pen I received as a gift from my Dad, the ones I won in competitions, are all very close to my heart. I still recollect the moments before examinations, when I used to offer my pen to the deity at home, with prayers to write well! Later on, I moved on to the ball pen too.
Writing with a pen, to make pointer lists, reminders, draw stick figures, or anything that crosses my mind, gives me a feeling of fullness, lets me pause, score out, or add signs for relevance. Being an orchestra stage singer, I am comfortable with writing down the lyrics in my diary and following the same while on stage. The places to be sung subtly, higher portions, hummings, etc., I mark them in a way I understand. I struggle when I take the printouts, though they look neat, and easier to comprehend.
Drawing silhouettes with pencils, doing intricate mandala designs with a fine-tip pen, and even freehand “kolams” or mehndi art, all on paper, gives me a space to create, explore more, boost self-value, and enhance calmness. Even though all of these may be possible, using a few clicks on the keyboard, with less time consumption, I feel the pen and paper win my heart and connect with my soul!
I still safeguard a suitcase with all my treasures! A collection of what I have written as a little girl, as a teenager, as a daughter, a wife, and a mother, each page recollects so much, and rewinds forgotten memories that bring smiles to my face even today.
Technology is fantastic, but holding a pen is ecstatic!
Today, I find working on the laptop, with a keyboard and mouse, a much more friendlier approach to communication. Not only the current generation, even grandmas and grandpas, look forward to texting on keypads instead of writing with pen or pencil. The comfort of the laptop, computer, or smartphone is a boon for anyone who needs matter delivered straight from thoughts to print! Texting or typing saves a lot of time in this fast-paced, galloping world.
My better half, who is always getting himself updated with the latest technology, prefers the notepad on his phone, to the one that lies idle on our dining table. The kids are at a different level too. Writing feels unnecessary for them, when they are able to finish everything on the screen digitally, and dash off to the next task.
Once upon a time, it was all about “handwriting.” Good handwriting was applauded and even fetched extra marks. I still value each letter I write. Though it takes effort, and extra time, the satisfaction I get after I write a script is indescribable. Writing letters to distant loved ones are extra special for me! To text them on social media or apps looks simpler, but a bit robotic. I personally share my emotions, completely, when it is a handwritten one! Opinions may differ, but for me, taking time to pause, reflect, connect, and share all happens with a pen, that I carry with me, in my purse, or tuck it like a hairpin on my head, and use whenever needed. The laptop and smartphone I keep at a distance, though they help me, to convert my writings to digital forms. Maybe, when I get a little more updated, I may shift my voting to the keyboard.
Happiness, and satisfaction, for me, are scripted with pen, though slow.
“The keyboard may rock, but the PEN rules.”
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