India, June 21 -- It's been a long time coming, but South Asian musicians are finally having their moment in the sun as they take over airwaves and top playlists. We speak to musicians who are reinventing what it means to have a distinct visual identity that evolves with them, both sonically and sartorially.

With structured blazers, metallic makeup and offbeat charm, Delhi-based Dohnraj seems like he's stepped out of an '80s synth-pop dream - but he's quick to clarify, "I wasn't consciously thinking about the '80s at all, because what do I know about the '80s?" His music, much like his aesthetic, is a touch enigmatic. "It's emotional music, something cinematic [with a] slightly off-kilter edge," he explains, adding, "I like things that f...