Synthfarm, India’s pioneering residency for electronic music, synthesis and modular sound design, marks its 10th anniversary in 2025, celebrating a decade of fostering creativity and community in Duttapukur, West Bengal. Founded in 2015, Synthfarm began as a modest three-day retreat with 10 participants and 3 facilitators. Held on a farm 45 km outside Kolkata, the residency blends music, ecology and DIY ethos in a lush, tropical setting.

Over the years, it has grown into a globally recognized program, hosting over 95 participants from five continents and doubling in size by 2019, with a cap of 20 attendees and 5 facilitators per residency. Synthfarm’s mission is to demystify electronic music production & making it accessible through subsidized attendance fees. Its inclusive approach, emphasizing female empowerment and community ethics, has cultivated a diverse cohort of emerging producers, DJs, sound engineers and synthesizer enthusiasts.

A cornerstone of Synthfarm’s curriculum is the synth-building workshop, introduced in its second year by 5volts and later refined and re-designed by Animal Factory Amplification (AFA). Inspired by the 1980s Atari Punk Console, the Pocasynth (named poca meaning insect in Bengali) is a DIY analog mono-synth built from scratch by participants, often first-time solderers. Evolving from rudimentary breadboard designs in 2016 to the advanced Poca lineup of synth, sequencer, filter and LFO, the workshop allows attendees to craft their own instruments, fostering hands-on learning and creative autonomy.

The residency’s broader curriculum spans modular synthesis, generative music, track production, turntablism, performance and live studio techniques, facilitated by international and Indian musicians and engineers. The meals at Synthfarm are specially curated farm-to-table offerings that are nourishing, thoughtful and gourmet. Accommodation is simple and shared, designed to support rest while fostering a sense of community and focus throughout the residency. By integrating sustainability, affordability and innovation, Synthfarm continues to empower a new generation of artists, solidifying its legacy as a transformative force in India’s electronic music landscape.