J's La Quill Museum of Handwriting and Calligraphy

Nestled in the tiny by-lanes of K.R Market(Krishna Rajendra Market) area in Namma Bengaluru lies a hidden gem – Museum of Handwriting and Calligraphy. This is one of its kind in the World and is the first-ever Museum of Handwriting, Lettering, Calligraphy, Fountain Pens & other Writing Instruments conceptualized by Professor K.C.Janardhan. 

This museum is located inside his ancestral home itself in the heart of Bangalore old Fort area. And its clearly evident when you walk towards his home either from K.R.Market Metro station or from BMTC Bus station. For instance, the moment was got down from BMTC bus and started walking towards the museum by following instructions on google map we came across Sri Kote Jalakantheshwara temple (Kote means Fort). And then as we moved along further we saw Sri Kote Maramma temple. So all this signify that you are in the heart of Bangalore Fort area. This museum is walking distance from K.R. Market Metro station and bus stand.

The museum opens at 10 am and closes at 5 PM.

But you need to take prior appointment by calling Janardhan Sir (Phone# : +918217244302).

Please note there is no entry free.

 

We were asked to come at 11 am and were greeted by Janardhan sir at the entrance of his ancestral home. And our museum tour started from here.

It’s a 3 floor building and he starts the museum  tour from the ground floor. All the 3 floors are named after the streets of London – Baker Street, Downing Street and Houses of Parliament. He is a great story teller. So there is a story here behind naming these floors on streets of London. You will be taken back to the old British era with Vintage clocks, lamps and sign posts.

Ground Floor is the Baker Street. From ground floor, there are steps leading to first floor. Here he has made a fence like structure to keep the old world charm of London. He told us that he taught British folks the concepts of a good handwriting while he was living in London. 

From here some more steps will lead you to second floor Downing Street which is his office. Here also you will see some rare collection of pens and some mementos he has received.

Some more steps up will lead you to the main museum and you will enter Houses of Parliament now. 

You will find his vision posted on the wall of museum and I was mesmerized by his handwriting.

His objective of coming up with this museum is very clear - to preserve the art form of handwriting, lettering and Calligraphy in its purest original form. 

This museum has a great collection of limited edition pens, nibs, inks, quills and books on handwriting. He takes great pleasure in explaining the story and idea behind each exhibit right from the Mont Blanc collections, Pelican, Ferrari, Parker and Writing on the South East Asian side. There are some Indian brands too like Click and inks from Sulekha (Swadeshi). There is story telling everywhere that time just flies by. And he patiently answers all your questions. Most of the pens in the museum are gifted. Rest what he has owned are also part of this museum. 

The advent of digital almost has eliminated writing except for few from Baby Boomers or Gen X era who still believe in writing or taking notes with pen and paper. I wasn’t aware until I visited this museum today that there is a huge market for fountain pens also.

He is the first one in the world to have written his own passport. And also to write his own daughter’s birth certificate and his dad’s death certificate. He says he wanted to depict 3 of his emotions in writing – passion, happiness and sorrow.

 

We could see two of his students at the museum practice handwriting through some methods conceptualized fully by Prof Janardhan. He helps students develop good handwriting skills through some specially curated handwriting courses at his museum itself which is very interesting. He aims to create Master Trainers who can continue his legacy and promote the need for a good handwriting across generations. He wants to ensure the habit of writing is preserved alive for posterity. 

His ultimate dream is to work towards getting this museum UNESCO Heritage Site Status which will boost economic development and provide an alternate decent livelihood for the residents of the locality. We wish him all the best in this great journey.