Music Not Diving with Scuba #42 Techno in India Part I: Kohra on building a scene from the ground up
Mar 4, 2026
Kohra (Madhav), Indian techno DJ, producer and founder of Qilla Records, talks about building techno culture in India. He traces Goa raves to today’s city scenes, compares India to Europe and the US, and looks at international brands, festivals versus clubs, running a label in the streaming age, and the politics and economics shaping nightlife.
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Fix Space Timings And Sound To Improve Parties
- Prioritize basic club infrastructure: secure space, longer timings, and high-quality sound systems to enable better parties.
- Kohra notes many Indian venues close around 12:30–1:30, preventing long sets and discouraging promoters; sound-tuning improvements are recent but still needed.
Delhi Bombay Goa And Bangalore Play Different Roles
- Major Indian cities differ: Delhi has a large diverse community, Bombay brings mature, well-travelled crowds, and Goa attracts relocated producers post-COVID.
- Bangalore has emerged recently as a solid techno hub with serious producers and promoters.
Brands Can Eclipse Artists In India
- Big touring brands like Boiler Room bring exposure and book locals, but their brand can eclipse artists and create hype-driven audiences.
- Kohra observed crowds attending for the brand rather than specific sets, and sometimes events are run unfilmed yet still draw camera-conscious behaviour elsewhere.