ASHK is the latest project from multi-instrumentalists Ariana, Sahara and Kamila Nasr together with percussionist Ken Shorley.

The word ASHK means “love” in Turkish and “tear” in Dari. The members of ASHK have devoted many years to studying and performing music in different parts of the world including India, Afghanistan, China, Europe and Brazil.

The three sisters of Afghan-Canadian heritage grew up in a musical family in rural Nova Scotia, Canada. The group now performs in multiple languages and styles, creating a show that reflects their travels, multicultural lifestyles and musical passions.

ASHK’s music is based in three-part vocal harmonies, and features many instruments as well. Ariana takes soulful solos on the saxophone and accompanies the group on accordion. Sahara plays a haunting string instrument from South Asia called the sarangi. Kamila brings a special magic on the Celtic harp, the harmonium, and the silver flute. Ken keeps the groove on tabla, darbuka, and percussion instruments from around the world. ASHK creates a live show you will not want to miss!

In the fall of 2024, the group received a grant from the City of Montreal to set some of their late father’s poetry to music. The sisters lost their father in 2023, and this project is very dear to their hearts. The poems are in their fathers language of Dari, around themes of love, loss and spirituality, reflecting his journey from Afghanistan to Canada and his search for inner peace. The three sisters got together for three weeks to compose and arrange these new pieces. They were then joined by Ken Shorley for two performances in Montreal.

The members of ASHK are based half in Nova Scotia and half in Montréal, and continue to come together regularly to perform and create new music. They are performing in the summer of 2025 at Orientalys Festival in Montreal, and in the fall at the Acadia Performing Arts Series at the Festival Theatre in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.