Listening to Nurshin and Perwin discuss their music and explain the intricacies of their instruments feels like being transported to another world. As Perwin prepares her mey, a woodwind instrument, she carefully readies it to fill the air with music. As she starts playing, her melodies carry every listener in the room to vast and beautiful Kurdish lands.

The journey of Nurshin and Perwin is a story of two sisters overcoming terrorism and separation from their family, having had to flee their homeland twice but always finding refuge in the arms of music. Kurdistan Chronicle met with the two young women to discover more about their inspiring journey.

Beginnings in Kobani

Perwin learned to play her instruments in Kobani in Western Kurdistan (northern Syria), having to teach herself as there were no formal teachers available in the city. At the age of eight, she began to take singing, dancing, and art lessons at the BaqI Xido Center in Kobani. Her determination to learn the mey was sparked by a Kurd from Eastern Kurdistan (northwestern Iran) who inspired her to pursue music.

Nurshin’s musical story, on the other hand, began at the age of ten. At 11, she took lessons from famous musician Reshid Sofi from Kobani. In fifth grade, her teacher asked the class what their plans for the future were, and Nurshin noticed that nobody chose anything artistic. Knowing she had a beautiful voice, she confidently answered that she wanted to be a singer. Her teacher, displeased, told her to choose something else because she was smart. Nurshin, undeterred, remained silent, but her passion for music only grew stronger. “I was simply in love with music,” she explained.

Diyarbakir and return to Kobani

Nurshin left Kobani in 2015 – after the ISIS siege of the city was lifted by Kurdish forces – to attend the Aram Tigran Conservatory for Kurdish Music in Diyarbakir. A year later, Perwin joined her. Admission to the conservatory was based on skill and talent rather than age. During their time there, they not only honed their musical skills, but also learned pedagogy, teaching music lessons to children and adults for a period of three years.

After spending several years at the conservatory – Nurshin was there for four years and Perwin for three – the sisters returned to Kobani in August 2019. Their journey back was fraught with danger. They had to pass through Jerablus, where they faced discrimination because of their Kurdish identity, even having their names forcibly changed to Arabic ones. After spending two months in Kobani, heavy Turkish attacks in the region forced them to flee once again in October 2019. This time, they could only take their instruments and books with them due to limited space in their car.

In the midst of turmoil, however, music remained their constant refuge. Both sisters reminisce about eating pomegranates in the village where they stayed, sharing jokes, taking photos, and writing in their diaries. “Our entire life was built on music,” Nurshin reminisces. “Music taught me about Kurdistan and our Kurdish identity. Through music, we were able to leave Kobani.”

“Music is the expression of inner feelings,” Perwin adds.

Their father, who played and made the tembur, a traditional string instrument, supported their musical endeavors from early on. He loved music and encouraged his children to pursue it since he himself did not have the chance to. In Kobani and Qamishli (Qamişlo in Kurdish), the sisters taught music to children, spreading their love for their culture and art.

New beginnings in Erbil

Moving to Erbil at the end of 2022, they embraced the opportunities and freedom the city offered. “In Erbil, we found the freedom to perform independent concerts, free from any political influences,” the sisters agree.

Nurshin and Perwin are influenced by a variety of musicians, from Fairuz, famous Kurdish musicians, and Armenian composers like Komitas and Aram Khachaturian to classical composers like Beethoven. They also enjoy artists such as Charles Aznavour, Julio Iglesias, and Edith Piaf. “We prefer acoustic over modern electronic music,” Nurshin adds.

“Our band Diva, named after the Greek goddess of music, was inspired by Maria Callas’ album Diva,” Perwin explains.

The sisters aim to create music that resonates with them and their audience. “It’s a bit difficult to start our own project because music today is often based on electronic elements,” Nurshin says. “We want our listeners to enjoy our music, too, so we need to find a balance between what we love and what our audience likes to listen to.”

The sisters also try to connect the wider musical community in Kurdistan. For instance, they invite other artists to perform when they give live concerts, creating events that often feature a rich blend of cultural influences.

Currently, the sisters are preparing a new project, though the idea is still in its early stages.

Kurdistan Chronicle asked them about their greatest achievement so far.

“It’s definitely our independence from political ideologies, politics, and parties. We can focus solely on music as a free and independent art form,” Nurshin reflects.

“Music is free. Erbil opened doors to freedom for us,” Perwin adds.

As Perwin plays the santoor, a traditional stringed instrument, the tones transport listeners to an ancient world, encapsulating the essence of their musical journey and the rich cultural heritage their inspiring journeys represent.

Mey Dost is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Digital Media Communication at RWTH University in Germany.