Lucknow Musings: Pappu

Pappu wasn't his real name. We didn't even know if he had a name or not. He just sat behind the counter which stacked fragrant erasers, sharpeners in different shapes, pencils of all brands and other stationery knick-knacks designed to delight a fifteen year old and an eight year old's collective sense of wonder (my sister and me). From precarious strings of threads hung various notebooks and other paraphernalia which could be termed as a school-goers wish-list. Along the Walls of his tiny four feet shop were shelves stacked with paint tubes, pots of water colour, wooden rulers, plastic rulers, lead boxes (that's all I remember but am sure there were lots more) on one side and great sheets of cardboard, colourful wrapping paper, cellophane, thermocol and what-have-you's. We always took a little while to absorb in the newer products, displayed proudly in the transparent counter or hung up right in front. This was Pappu's stationery store- adjacent to another stationery shop, of equal measure, manned by Surly Man (you can guess who's shop was more crowded).  Of course Pappu had learnt his lesson in retail really well and chosen the strategic location of being right next to Arya Kanya Pathshala and stocking most of their course books. Once this school got over, all students made a beeline for Pappu's shop- needless to say he minted cool money the day a new textbook was announced. The beginning of a new term spelt brisk business for him- and us- as we bought new fountain pens (yes, I do belong to that old generation who were taught to write with fountain pens only) and new Chelpark ink pots- it was only later that we migrated to Pilot pens (most frowned upon by teachers) and much, much later to Reynolds (Goodness! Is that a ball pen you are using?!). Pappu was the sole provider of paint brushes, art sheets, hard boards and files for exams as well as the sundry pencils, pens, erasers and sharpeners. Not one exam was complete without his blessing- even the dreadful Board exams! We stayed faithful to Pappu through college and even frequented his shop when we'd return home during MBA vacations. But sadly, this link also expired once I got married and shifted base. Now that I'm a stay-at-home mom, the only time I use a pen is to write down my request for the driver to buy from the store. My vast collection of pens languishes in one drawer. What would Pappu have said had he seen the state of the Parkers, the Mont-Blancs, the Cross', the Sheaffers?  Why nothing, of course. That was his most endearing quality. To be there and just acquiesce to our demand. Never speak. Never offer any opinion.  We miss Pappu.