Baba Shamal (magazine)

The Persian journal Baba Shamal was one of the most famous political satire magazines in Iran. It was published weekly between 1943 and 1945 by Reżā Ganjaʾī (1918–1995). After his return from Europe in 1947, 50 volumes more were distributed.
Ganjaʾī was a cabinet member and a university professor for engineering. Before and after his publishership Ganjaʾī held some important positions in ministries and in the banking and insurance sector. He published his articles under the pseudonym “Donb-al-mohandesīn“. Many well-known Iranian satirists, poets and authors belong to his supporters and co-workers, i.a. Rahī Moʿayyerī („Zāḡča“), Eqteṣād („Shaikh Pašm-al-Dīn“), Fozūnī („Mohandes-al-Šoʿarāʾ“) and Ṣahbā („Shaikh Somā“).
The journal was widespread in Iran and was characterized by its everyday language and colloquial style. The general satirical opinion of the authors found its expression in current daily politics which was supplemented by partly colored caricatures and drawings. In general the journal's position was nationalistic, independent and moderate. However, its critique led – under the pressure of censorship – to its suspension in 1947.

References

Further reading
 The Encyclopædia Iranica, http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/baba-samal
 The Encyclopædia Iranica, http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/ganjai-
 Lawrence Elwell-Sutton, “Iranian Press 1941-47,” Iran 6, 1968, p. 80.

External links
 Online-Version: Bābā Šamal
 Further information: www.translatio.uni-bonn.de
 Digital editions: Arabische, persische und osmanisch-türkische Periodika

Category:1943 establishments in Iran
Category:1947 disestablishments in Iran
Category:Defunct magazines of Iran
Category:Magazines established in 1943
Category:Magazines disestablished in 1947
Category:Persian-language magazines
Category:Iranian political satire
Category:Iranian satire
Category:Satirical magazines
Category:Weekly magazines
Category:Iranian magazines