Monkey Radio India is a community radio station and streaming platform broadcasting from Hyderabad. Since 25 October 2011 it has been public, non-profit and free of commercials, with a civilian approach to broadcasting, and is run by the Monkey Foundation. It takes inspiration from Tilos Rádió in Hungary.
Founded by Dakta Dub, the station began as a meeting point for Hyderabad's underground and has grown into a platform that connects local crews with artists from across India and the world. The schedule runs live DJ sets, pre-recorded shows and conversations, with attention on artists and scenes working beyond the mainstream.
The programme moves between genres without rules. Dub, reggae and sound system music sit alongside jazz, electronic, hip hop, experimental and ambient, as well as literature and other art forms. The result is an archive of 976 shows, broadcast at international standards.
Beyond broadcasting, the Monkey Foundation runs events, workshops and projects that grow the community at home and abroad, working with a network of like-minded DJs, foundations and cultural spaces.
The Monkey Sound System is a custom rig, hand-built by Mr. Taus to the personal taste of Dakta Dub, founder of Monkey Foundation. On any sound system the sub-bass boxes are the real weapon; for the Monkey rig that weapon is the hog scoop. We call the boxes “Balasub”, named for Dakta Dub and his long endeavour to build a sound system for Hyderabad, and to put the city on the global map of sound system culture.
Based in Hyderabad, India · © Monkey Foundation