Top young musicians from the region talk about what drives them.

Not Saying it Softly
Hard Kaur,37, Ludhiana

"I am just naturally loud, not generally drunk. I haven't had a drop for months now, after all the controversies about my drinking started making the rounds," Taran Kaur Dhillon aka Hard Kaur, India's first female rapper.

You don't know this: I am a brilliant chef. People can't stop admiring the French and Carribean dishes I churn out.

My Universe of Chill: Lazing around at home and watching humorous films.

Notes to Success: Never quit. You are not the only one who is being treated unfairly in this world.

Strength: My mother who always says, "F*** the world, just do your job.

What My Music Sings: It is about standing up. It is about equality. It is about who I am-the person who shaved her head at 19 so that she looked unattractive and people would admire her skills as a musician. My songs do not talk about pretty damsels and gun toting Jats but those who stand up. My latest track Sherniis all about that. I am about individualism, not bowing down to societal pressures-so is my music.

Trained to Rule? Where are the schools that train in my genre of music? The streets of Birmingham made a musician out of me. The desire to do something exceptionally well-especially when girls from my own community shunned me. Yes, I wish I learned music and understood the academic intricacies but then, you don't get it all, right.

Secret plan: I want to open a music school in India one day.

Looking at the Punjabi Music Industry: Not that there is lack of potential or dearth of talent. What pains me is the complete lack of imagination. Not many are willing to go beyond crass lyrics, tested compositions and unwatchable sexist music videos. I have put my foot down and floated my own music company--Future Records.

Future Forward: I want to do real Hip Hop without giving in to the market demands. Just want to follow my heart and not care if big music companies don't see a market for them. I have been keen on launching new people forever.

Best Known Songs
Glassy, Follow Me and Main Tera Dhadkan Teri
Laung Da Lashkara & Rola Pe Gaya from Patiala House

Best Known Songs
Sadda Dil Vi Tuand Ga Ga Ga Ganpati (ABCD Any Body Can Dance)
Babloo Happy Hai(Babloo Happy Hai)

A Lyrical Reporter
Aditya Prateek Singh aka Badshah , 32, Ludhiana-Delhi

"Music reaffirms that I am alive, in every sense of the word," Aditya Prateek Singh aka Badshah

You don't know this: I love sweets. And shoes.

My Universe of Chill: Dozing off.

Notes to Success: Hard Work. Diligence.

Strength: My fans.

What My Music Sings: Frankly, I consider myself as a lyrical reporter who talks about what is going on society in contemporary times. All my songs are derived from situations and trends that I witness around me.

Trained to Rule? No, I have not attended any music classes or learnt from a guru. You will be surprised to know that whatever I have learnt today is all thanks to YouTube. Yes, I have a keen ear and I am a superb learner, always hungry for more knowledge.

Looking at the Punjabi Music Industry: The Punjabi music industry is witnessing great changes. All I would like to say is that as artists, it is important for all of us to be very responsible and aware about what we present to the audiences. No artist should forget his social responsibility.

Future Forward: At present, I am working on an album that has the kind of music I have never dealt with before. It is a challenge and I am thoroughly enjoying myself. I don't want to reveal the name and details of the album as I want it to be a surprise for my fans. Well, my fingers are crossed.

Best Known Songs
Kala Chashma, Baby Ko Bass Pasand Hai
Dj Wale Babu, Let's Nacho

Soul Stirring
Gurkanwal Mahi aka Ginni Mahi , 17, Jalandhar
"Singing is my nirvana. It introduces me to a side of me that I love immensely. Most importantly, I always smile when I sing," Gurkanwal Mahi aka Ginni Mahi

You don't know this: I can play with children all day long.

My Universe of Chill: Spending time with my friends in the college caf.

Notes to Success: Consistent riyaaz.

Strength: My family, especially my father.

What My Music Sings: It talks about the right to equality, importance of peaceful co-existence and need to abolish caste discrimination. My music is about bringing forth the fact that education is the best tool for empowerment and how it is imperative for women to step out and contribute to the society. Take any of the songs in my two albums released last year-Guruan Di Diwanior Gurpurab Hai Kanshi Wale Da, they are all about awakening and empathy. Everybody calls me a Dalit singer, but frankly, I would like to be known as a versatile singer.

Trained to Rule? I started training in Indian light classical when I was five-years-old. At the age of eight, I performed my first public concert. It is only because of my training that I have gained the confidence to perform live in front of 50,000 people. Formal training not only gives you an edge over others but also introduces you to intricate nuances of music, something which is instrumental in making you a complete singer.

Future Forward: I am serious about pu rusing a career in the Hindi film industry as a playback singer. Singing songs that talk about the Dalit cause are close to my heart.

Best Known Songs
Fan Baba Sahib ki, Kansh I Kitni Ku Door, Tunke, Yodha

Sufi Incorporated
Jasleen Aulakh, 29, Chandigarh
"Sometimes passion defines your very existence. I think music does that to me. So many mornings are about songs playing in dreams the night before," Jasleen Aulakh

You don't know this: When I was growing up, I wanted to be a lawyer, seeing so many family feuds and litigation over property.

My Universe of Chill: Walking my dog. Notes to Success Believing in myself.

Strength: Polly Saghera, the lyricist of my band Just Ittefaaq, who also happens to be my mother.

What My Music Sings: It is about revisiting ancient rhythms captured in verses of masters like Bulle Shah and putting them forward in a contemporary avatar. It is also about touching upon different human emotions not bound by age, sex or race.

My music is about: everyday existence-the smoothness, the madness and how it surprises us at every turn.

Trained to Rule? I so wish I had some kind of professional training which could make me more disciplined and had given me theoretical knowledge of music, which I believe is of crucial importance.

Future Forward: Besides releasing videos of my previously recorded songs, I am looking forward to working on lyrics by different Sufi masters and exploring Punjabi folk. And yes, I am sticking to my genre and not compromising just because a particular brand of music sells.

Life in Music
Harshdeep Kaur, 29, Delhi

"It heals me. Makes me float. Music is oxygen for my soul," Harshdeep Kaur

You don't know this: I have a really wicked sense of humour.

My Universe of Chill: Sleeping for hours at a stretch.

Notes to Success: Do your best, leave the rest to the Almighty.

Strength: My family.

What My Music Sings: Ever since I started singing from the age of five, songs with soulful compositions and meaningful lyrics have had an impact on me. I enjoy singing what makes me happy, what makes me smile.

Trained to Rule? Yes, I have been trained in Hindustani classical and also learnt western classical music, both for vocals and piano. Formal training has always come in handy at every step. Once you are trained in classical music, you can easily adopt any singing style.

Looking at Punjabi Music Industry: We just cannot refute the fact that there are some really talented singers around, and a lot of attention is being paid to the quality of music production- which is fantastic.

Future Forward: After my recent songs like Happy Oyefrom Happy Bhag Jayegi and Nachde Ne Saare from the film Befikre, I have just released a single titled Saaun Da Mahina, which is a tribute to late Jagjit Singh. I will also be performing with Shekhar Ravijani at the Hazaaon Khwahishein Aisi concert in September in Singapore.

Best Known Songs
Jugnifrom Cocktail, Kateya Karoonfrom Rockstar
Jhak Maar Ke Desi Boyz, Heer from Jab Tak Hai Jaan
Happy Oye from Happy Bhag Jayegi