Reimagining India's Electronic Music Legacy

Switched on India is a performance-lecture tracing the transformative influence of electronic music and synthesizers, featuring a rebuilt version of the Moog synthesizer originally brought to the National Institute of Design (NID) at Ahmedabad in 1969. This unique instrument, famously part of India’s early interactions with sound technology, played a pioneering role in fusing Western electronic innovation with Indian musical traditions and Futurism. The event combines live performances, historical context, and visual storytelling to explore the legacy of electronic music in India, illustrating how global and local sounds have merged to redefine the country’s sonic landscape.

a revival of vintage sound technology

In December 2024, Varun Desai completed a reconstruction of the NID synthesizer from 1969, reimagining it at a travel friendly 60% scale after two years of craftsmanship. This revitalized instrument, rooted in the historical legacy of the famed sound studio, embodies a fusion of postcolonial Indian innovation and contemporary modular synthesis, enabling new explorations of experimental soundscapes that echo the avant-garde spirit of its predecessors. Since its completion, Desai has been rigorously rehearsing with the instrument, preparing for public performances. This series of events aims to reintroduce this lost sonic heritage to global audiences while honoring its cultural and technological significance in India’s electronic music history.

India's Electronic Music History

In the late 1960s, the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad became a pioneering hub for electronic music in India. Established with the support of a Ford Foundation grant, the studio was spearheaded by the American avant-garde composer & pianist David Tudor. In the 2020s British artist and electronic musician Paul Purgas worked on the restoration and digitisation of the NID electronic music archive which featured Indian composers Gita Sarabhai, Atul Desai, I.S. Mathur, S.C. Sharma and Jinraj Joshipura.

Varun Desai

Varun Desai is an Indian computer engineer working in the fields of synthesis and interactive design. He’s been a teacher and lecturer for both hardware and software platforms as well as a graphic designer, coder, musician and synthesizer builder. His video art projects use real-time code-based visualizations that make use of custom built microphones, cameras and sensors. He has had decades of experience working in arts and culture as a promoter, label manager, and producer.

As a musician, composer and curator he has been involved in trans-cultural projects and residencies and creates works that are responsive to the technological advances of the digital age. Varun is the founder of Synthfarm, India’s leading residency for synthesis, modular sound, music production and synth-making and is the director of the Kolkata Jazzfest, one of India’s longest running music festivals.

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Upcoming Events

Stay Tuned for 2026

We are excited to announce that Switched on India will be hosting a series of live performances in 2026. These events will celebrate the legacy of India’s electronic music and the iconic synthesizer. Stay tuned for updates on dates and venues.

Past / Upcoming Events

A Visual Journey

Switched on India - Concert Images

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Reach out for inquiries about performances, collaborations, or to learn more about the project. Connect with us on social media or fill out our contact form for more information.