Ittila’at Banuan 1957-0039

FILE INFO

Publication frequency: Weekly
Language: Persian
Place of publication: Tehran
Publication Serie: Ittila’at Banuan
Subject: Poem, Fashion and Beauty, Persian Poets, Qajar Empire, Short Stories, Novel, Cooking, Child Health Care
Editor (publication): Iraj Musta'an
Year: 1957 (1336)
Imprint Owner: ‘Abbas Mas‘udi

DESCRIPTION

The first issue of Ittila’at Banuan magazine, a publication by the Ittila’at Institute, was released on April 1, 1957 (12 Farvardin 1336), featuring a photo of Suraya Isfandiyari, the second wife of Mohammad Riza Shah Pahlavi, on the cover. The magazine, founded and initially owned by ‘Abbas Mas‘udi, was published weekly and focused primarily on women's topics.

It covered a wide range of subjects of interest to women, including fashion and beauty, sewing, cooking, floral arrangements, home decoration, health, women’s sports, love and marriage, lifestyle and social etiquette, the lives of distinguished women and successful mothers. It also featured news about the lives of the Mohammad Riza Shah and Farah Pahlavi and their family at the time, film and music, both Iranian and international celebrities, short and long stories (sometimes historical and illustrated), poetry, youth culture news, regional updates, social topics and current affairs.

From issues 1 to 50, the magazine listed ‘Abbas Mas‘udi as founder and imprint owner, and Iraj Musta'an as editor. From issue 51 onward, Qudsi Mas‘udi was listed as the new imprint owner, and from issue 590 to 1110, Pari Abasalti joined as magazine editor, working alongside Qudsi Mas‘udi.

Between issues 139 and 199, changes in the magazine’s numbering system occurred. Additionally, from issues 974 to 1097, the publication used the Imperial Iranian calendar instead of the Solar Hijri (Shamsi) calendar.

Writers for the magazine included Iraj Musta'an, Farida Gulsurkhi, Pari Abasalti, Hadi Khursandi, Shuja'iddin Shafa, Dr. Haj Sa'yid Javadi, Parviz Qazi Sa‘id, Zhila Sazigar, Sadiq Jalali, Leyla Kasra, Sirus Amuzgar and Sudaba Qasimlu while translators such as Nasir Irandust and F. Jilva, Layla Kasra, Hushang Mirhashim, Kambiz Mir-Fesharaki, and Hushang Mustufi contributed as well. Ahmad Sakhavarz was also responsible for designing the caricatures. Notable serialized and translated stories included the Stain (Laka) by Iraj Musta'an, Lucrezia by Daniel Gray, and Star of the Desert by Maurice Dekobra, translated by F. Jalveh; Behind the Window by Émile Zola, translated by Nasir Irandust and Peyton Place by Grace Metalious and translated by Ja‘far Sadiq Nayyiri. Ittila’at Banuan organized journalism courses for women. The magazine also offered a free sewing pattern supplement titled "Dress Patterns", managed by Turan Khwaja Nuri.

Following a brief publication pause between issues 1109 (dated November 15, 1978 – the magazine’s 22nd year) and 1110 (dated January 24, 1979), the content of the magazine shifted dramatically. Traditional features were replaced with new, more political and critical pieces such as The Sunset of the Doll-like Woman, The Rise of the Revolutionary Woman, and The Nothingness of Woman.

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