Abhisarika is a Telugu S*xology magazine that educates the public on s*xuality, infertility, relationships, STDs, hormonal disorders & other reproductive issues. In 1949 – hardly 2 years from Indian Independence – a monthly magazine was born that would thrive for the next 6+ decades – to disseminate the science of s*x to masses. Named “Abhisarika”, the magazine took its birth in Tenali, a politica
lly, socially and culturally happening town of the then undivided state of Madras, presently in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh. It was born out of a deep desire to negate the destructive effects of the myths and misconceptions these other magazines were propagating rampantly. Soon after its coming into being, Abhisarika rose to a position of reverence and distinction as a magazine discussing the science of s*x openly on a scientific footing and dispelling the s*xual myths in the society. At a time when s*x was a strong taboo, Abhisarika was a way ahead of its time. Alapati Ravindranath, Dhanikonda Hanumantha Rao, and Ramsha Darbha made it possible for s*x knowledge to reach the common man in 50s and 60s. Alapati was probably the first in Andhra Pradesh to start a magazine to impart scientific knowledge about the unspoken life in the bedroom. ‘Rerani’ (night queen) as it was named, was published in 1949 by Alapati and edited by a luminary Dhanikonda Hanumantha Rao, who later (in 1949 itself) started his own magazine Abhisarika along similar lines. Rerani and Abhisarika have both stayed away from lewd and obscene writings and remained confined to scientific aspects of s*x, based on the information available to the editors of that time. While Rerani was discontinued after some years, change of guard in 1960 helped Abhisarika thrive and march into the 21st century. Ramsha Darbha, who wrote free-lance for Abhisarika earlier, ably assisted by wife Siriesha, took over the reins of Abhisarika in 1960, and continued the mission started by their predecessor. Soon the names Ramsha & Siriesha became inseparable from Abhisarika. They made a wonderful team in dispelling s*xual myths and misconceptions in the community and in helping thousands and thousands of anxious and anguished individuals and couples – young and old – to overcome their s*xual and marital difficulties. Ramsha & Siriesha have written more than 40 books in various matters of s*x ranging from s*xual aspects of infertility to manuals for s*xual pleasure and marital harmony. Sometimes special supplements were printed to accommodate the huge number of questions that poured in. The couple worked overtime to write for the magazine, answer queries over phone and counsel in person – almost always free of fee. Ramsha’s incisive editorials carried immense popularity. Through the editorials he gave calls for numerous social / statutory changes such as legalization of abortion, increasing the marriageable age for boys and girls as means of population control, women’s rights and the like. Though, at one point of time, Ramsha’s firm opinions about certain aspects of s*xuality (ex: ma********on) contradicted the contemporary thinking, by and large the contribution of Ramsha and Siriesha to the society was immeasurable. They took s*x-help and s*x information to the door step of the common man. As remarked by a reader – “Abhisarika, true to its name, went in search of its readers and educated them”. Through the early part of the 3 decades of journey of s*x-educating the masses,
The responsibility of the magazine was taken in 1990 by their son Dr. Poosha Darbha, a PhD in Human Genetics (Andhra University) and a trained s*xuality counsellor, who continues to publish the magazine in addition to the web sites www.abhisarika.in. Poosha Darbha is a Fellow of the Council of S*x Education and Parenthood International. He is also a life member of the Indian Association of S*x Educators, Counselors and Therapists and was a member of the American Association of S*x Educators, Counselors and Therapists. He has been practicing Psychos*xual Medicine since 1989 in Andhra Pradesh, India. He is currently the editor of the oldest Indian s*xology magazine for the lay public in the Indian language Telugu, published since 1949. He has written and published a number of books on S*xual Medicine, HIV/AIDS, the K**a Sutra, STDs and Menstruation and other topics in the vernacular Telugu. He also answers s*x questions at www.abhisarika.in and www.lybrate.com/doctor/poosha. Dr. Poosha Darbha is an active member of Rotary, and served Rotary International District 3020 (encompassing 70 rotary clubs in the north coastal part of Andhra Pradesh India) as District Governor in 2013-14.
