Debonair Magazine Articles Extra Quality [updated] Instant

Extra Quality isn’t a marketing label at Debonair . It’s a promise kept.

Renowned poet Nissim Ezekiel served as the poetry editor for years. He curated works from legendary figures such as Kamala Das, Arun Kolatkar, Adil Jussawalla, and Jayanta Mahapatra. For many young Indian poets, being published in Debonair was a definitive career milestone.

Debonair was born in a moment of cultural flux and ambition. Founded in 1973, with its first issue hitting stands in April 1974, the magazine was the brainchild of entrepreneur Susheel Somani, owner of the G. Claridge printing press in Bombay (now Mumbai), one of the finest in India at the time. The initial idea was clear: to create an Indian version of Hugh Hefner’s legendary Playboy , a men’s magazine that combined sophisticated content with tasteful nudity. Early editors included Ashok Row Kavi and Anthony Van Braband, who shaped its initial identity around topless female centerfolds. Yet, even from its earliest days, there was a struggle to move beyond mere titillation.

To understand in practice, one need only look at the legendary "Icons of Africa" issue. This single edition redefined what a men's magazine could be. debonair magazine articles extra quality

: It was one of the few Indian magazines of its era to challenge societal norms through both boldness and sophisticated contemporary thought. Accessing Archives & Articles

The magazine featured original columns and poetry from literary giants such as Dom Moraes Frank Simoes Anil Dharkar Visionary Editors: Under the leadership of editors like Vinod Mehta

Finding "extra quality" full text from the original era typically requires looking into physical or digital archives: Extra Quality isn’t a marketing label at Debonair

Today, vintage issues of Debonair featuring the "Extra Quality" editorial tag are highly sought after by archivist networks, literary historians, and vintage magazine collectors. They are preserved not just as relics of a bygone publishing era, but as physical evidence of a time when mainstream lifestyle media took immense risks, trusted the intelligence of its audience, and championed the absolute highest quality of written word.

Collectors can find original 1980s copies for around ₹750 to ₹1,250 on specialty sites like BidCurios .

The celebrated novelist and columnist frequently contributed sharp, witty, and unapologetic essays on human nature, politics, and Punjabi culture. He curated works from legendary figures such as

Debonair navigated a complex cultural landscape in India. It was often at the center of obscenity debates. Editor Vanit Jain, who bought the magazine in 1990 for a reported ₹1 crore, famously defended its pin-ups as being pictures of Indian women, positioning the magazine as an “adult magazine” distinct from “down market” publications. The 1990s saw the magazine under the editorship of Anil Dharker, who honored Mehta’s legacy. In 2005, under editor Derek Bose, Debonair underwent a major reformat to remove nudity entirely and target a younger demographic. This pivot reflected changing societal norms and market realities but signaled a move away from its foundational identity.

Since its 2022 relaunch by the Be Debonair Foundation, the focus has shifted toward entertainment news, celebrity interviews, and lifestyle trends.