Ranga de Basanti

Ranga has many firsts to its credit. But the way they have helped put the Indian fountain pen-turning industry on the global map is something that must be acknowledged. Today, the spread that Ranga has - in terms of models, materials used and, sheer craftsmanship is mindboggling and one could go on forever if one were to get into the specifics.
It was therefore such a pleasure to see Ranga take part in the Chennai Pen Show. The first few hours, I must confess, were spent with me ogling at the eye candies and by the time I could get my bearings back the counter had become so crowded that we could not do the story. So, I requested that they come in early the following day for the story. They were kind enough to oblige and here is what transpired.
Ranga showcased some of their perennial favorites like the Bamboo pen, their ebonite masterpieces, and the acrylic pieces that are increasingly becoming bestsellers around the world. However, not resting on their laurels (as a fifty-five-year-old behemoth, they easily can), they are continuing to experiment with new materials and models, which we think is another one of those traits that separates the winners from the also-rans.
Another thing that I learned during the course of the conversation is the fact that the Ranga patriarch is colour blind. Imagine that! Creating some of the most colourful pieces that take our collective breath away, while you, yourself, cannot see them. I have heard so many people talking about the miraculous power of the fountain pen enabling users to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Well, can there be a better example?
There can hardly be another entity that either has Ranga’s ability or its consistency so far as turning fountain pens that fascinate. It will also not be an exaggeration to state that it is perhaps Ranga that has the highest brand recall among Indian fountain pen makers in the discerning markets of Europe and America. And here is a twister: Ranga, for those of you who may not be aware, was and continues to make some of the best ebonite feeds in the country. And as for the ebonite rods that they continue to create, make them one of the very few practitioners of the art that has almost died out in the country.

[@penarbor]

Ranga makes great pens for everyday use. They hold an important place in the industry with their affordable, durable and beautiful pens. Most of all, they are a delight to work with.

[@howardcunix8677]

Hello Chawm! We are grateful for your special video presentations in which you bring the world of fountain pens to your Viewers/Subscribers, front and center on our computer screens! And also happy to see the Professor--his participation always augments the significance of the video!

[@inkedhappiness]

thank you for your kind words :)

[@Roohaaniyat]

Thanks for this amazing video. Mr Panduranga and the entire Ranga Pens team is truly very inspiring ❤

[@viv_2489]

I have Ranga 3C, Ranga 3, Ranga 4C and Ranga Abhimanyu (all ebonite versions with Jowo nibs).. all good solid pens and great writers...Also to mention Mr Kandan is Professional and very much responsive to all the queries over mail...

[@AndrewWertheimer]

Looks like a lovely space for a pen show. I very much like my Ranga pen. Great craftsmanship and design.

[@inkedhappiness]

It really is!

[@rubbersidedown7992]

​@@inkedhappiness Dear Sir , as u r held in high regards by both users & makers alike , kindly enquire from them why they dont try to implement the 1 side shut off valve mech in EDs Thnq

[@inkedhappiness]

thanbk you for your kind words. have been making this request for a long time now. will renew with increased vigour :)

[@rubbersidedown7992]

@@inkedhappiness what do they say ?

[@inkedhappiness]

there is deep-rooted inertia at work here. need time for mindsets to change :)

[@drnimish333]

Really wonderful video. Ranga is a brand, which makes, we Indians, a proud… absolutely magnificent pens. No doubt about that. Keep up the good work sir. Super like 👍.

[@inkedhappiness]

thank you for your kind words sir :)

[@balwantpadaki6183]

Thank you for the video Dada. Ranga Pens offer outstanding craftsmanship, balanced pens which are very smooth & durable. For the quality and craftsmanship, they are pretty affordable. Best wishes to them!

[@starsuva]

excellent coverage. I am looking back to my childhood. a big clap for inked happiness. go ahead.

[@bharatc.sampat6406]

Ludwig Van Beethoven tussled with deafness half his life in the latter part. He is by far the greatest composer in the global world

[@Jit143kumar]

I am astonished to know that Ranga pens have 100 kind of nibs ! i have never seen Ranga Flex nibs, I wish i could see one day through your channel !

[@inkedhappiness]

sure. i will feature on sometime in the future :)

[@paulmchugh1430]

I have been very intrigued with Ranga. I am considering the Splendour model with the #8 nib. I would eyedropper fill it.

[@FriedPi-mc5yt]

I’m really wanting to get a Ranga pen. I love ebonite. It’s a beautiful material and it feels so good in the hand. Ranga has the best selection of ebonite colors. The only thing that has stopped me is the $100+ price tag for the premium ebonite models. I will get one eventually though. It’s on my wish list.

[@viv_2489]

You can get regular and special ebonite at affordable prices

[@drnimish333]

At 14:04 in the background I think if I am not wrong, we can see Mr. Subramaniam from ASA pens. I am actually a big fan of ASA pens too. One of my favourite ASA pen is “Nauka”.

[@inkedhappiness]

you are correct doctor sahaab. SAS and Ranga tables were next to each other in the Chennai Pen Show. have done a story on them as well and will be uploading it soon. hope you will like it too :)

[@drnimish333]

@@inkedhappiness yes 👍. I will definitely watch it.

[@VijayKumar01234]

In this digital era, the usage or need for the fountain pens is getting much much much reduced is the practical fact. In the name of hand made pens, if they keep the price range from ₹3,500 to ₹30,000 people whomever has the interest to buy fountain pens will NOT buy at all no matter whatever it maybe made-up of. According to a common end user, pen is JUST a writing tool that's it! Maybe for the manufacturer it can be glorified to sell it. According to most of the average Indians we fix a budget for certain things and never ever exceed beyond that. That doesn't mean indians are "kanjus", that's how things works when money comes into picture is the reality. If I try to sell a single pencil for ₹1,000 and say it's made up of gold not sure howmany will really buy it (maybe they may mock at the seller or buyer 😀). Well my ultimate point is, a pen should be in an affordable cost atleast close to reality. To my knowledge, any pen that exceeds more than ₹1,000 is not the cup of tea to a realistic common man. When I checked in their site all the price are in dollars, why? So, it's clear that maybe western or Europeans may buy in the name of collection or craze or whatever it is? But certainly not for indian market. Pen is a tool that's it... handwriting matters. Moreover ballpoint & jel pens just for ₹20/- does an excellent job. (Most of the official forms doesn't allow to be filled with fountain pens for the nature of paper and the ink that tends to bleed. So, is it really worth it spending this much over a pen at this era is a common sense?) Note: I have a fountain pen used by my grandfather which is almost 100 years old made in a simple material. That pen is still working fine. Why I need to spend money on a pen that is made up of flight body that is unbreakable if someone jump over it and all? Let's be more practical!

[@rikhalder5708]

Is platinum preppy good for students? Please reply

[@inkedhappiness]

it is :)

[@indrajitbhaduri7542]

Dada, can we have a catalogue of the entire range??? It was a vivid video on fountain pens.....

[@inkedhappiness]

oder kono catalogue nei as such. tobe amar kache onek chobi ache dekhi chobigulo pathano jai ki na.

[@BrandedStatusWristwear]

500rs Jinhao with Ranga branding

[@prabhuja7554]

Now the' Big Blue Ink Man ' has joined ...😅 When the people are Big he talks ,praises or else when passionately asked he puts all scenes as a Sharukh KHan of India and escorts them with people to explain about him...😂😂😂 He can't even speak about himself

[@sayee1985]

Its beethoven who cant hear sir

[@inkedhappiness]

thank you. i was confused :)

[@akshyakumar8915]

they are not the entry level pens for indian population. middle class indian can not afford their pens. i think ranga should think about it.

[@inkedhappiness]

good point. will take up the matter with them. thank you for writing in.

[@viv_2489]

If one can afford Lamy Safari pens and are good to consider the price for the quality they offer then why not Ranga which are handmade, with great quality Jowo/Bock nib units....

[@malarvannan3400]

Price range from Rs3000/= to Rs 30,000/= is unaffordable for middle class people. This pen is out of reach for the students' section. That's why Chinese pens are flourishing in 🇮🇳.

[@HonestLucifer]

Bro, they are "Handmade" the price is actually very less. For example check Nakaya brand which is a Japanese handmade pen brand. The pens cost in Lakhs. Learn to appreciate the hardwork behind an unique pen.

[@AAAA-kj4cg]

Gama pens asa all indiann made pens. Ebonite. 2000rs much affordable. Ebonite rod is 250 rs per piece. We are paying 6000 rs.

[@viv_2489]

​​@@AAAA-kj4cgI have a Gama ebonite pen as well ( Gama Eyas) with friction fit in house nibs against Ranga which offers a bundle of nib options....also you can swap in nibs easily in Ranga pens....Also Ranga pens provide converter as well unlike Gama( which are complete eyedropper) so there is a price gap

[@AAAA-kj4cg]

I would say their pens are good but definitely over over priced..,,

[@viv_2489]

Not at all.. for the quality of pen material and nib options...