Internationally acclaimed sitarist Anoushka Shankar has criticised Air India after discovering serious damage to her sitar following a recent flight. Returning to the airline after many years, she described the experience as deeply upsetting and shocking, especially given the cultural and emotional value of the instrument.
“How on Earth Does Damage Like This Happen?” asks Anoushka Shankar
Anoushka Shankar posted an emotional video message on Instagram, recounting the moment she realised her sitar had been mishandled. She initially noticed the instrument was heavily out of tune, but the true extent of the damage became clear only when she tried to play it.
In the video, she said, “This was my first time flying Air India in a long time. You’re the country this music belongs to, and this is the first time anything like this has happened to my instrument in 15 or 17 years. How have you done this? I have special cases. You guys charge a handling fee, and yet you've done this.”
Her disappointment stemmed not only from the financial cost of repairs but also from the cultural significance of the sitar, an instrument she described as being protected across “thousands of flights on other airlines without even a peg going out of tune.”
Her reaction has resonated widely with fans and musicians, many of whom have raised concerns about how delicate musical instruments are handled by airlines despite special packaging and additional handling charges.
Air India Yet to Respond
As of now, Air India has not issued a public statement addressing the incident or explaining the extent of mishandling. The silence from the airline has further fuelled frustration among social media users, especially artists who frequently travel with fragile instruments.
Who is Anoushka Shankar?
Anoushka Shankar is a British–American sitarist of Indian descent, celebrated internationally for her innovative collaborations and her seven solo studio albums. With fourteen Grammy nominations and a historic record of appearances at the Grammy Awards as a performer, she is widely recognised as one of the strongest contemporary voices in Indian classical music on the global stage.
“How on Earth Does Damage Like This Happen?” asks Anoushka Shankar
Anoushka Shankar posted an emotional video message on Instagram, recounting the moment she realised her sitar had been mishandled. She initially noticed the instrument was heavily out of tune, but the true extent of the damage became clear only when she tried to play it.In the video, she said, “This was my first time flying Air India in a long time. You’re the country this music belongs to, and this is the first time anything like this has happened to my instrument in 15 or 17 years. How have you done this? I have special cases. You guys charge a handling fee, and yet you've done this.”
Her disappointment stemmed not only from the financial cost of repairs but also from the cultural significance of the sitar, an instrument she described as being protected across “thousands of flights on other airlines without even a peg going out of tune.”
Anoushka Shankar Highlights Emotional and Cultural Loss
In the caption accompanying the video, she expressed her heartbreak and anger, writing that she was “devastated and truly disturbed by @airindia’s treatment of my sitar.” She questioned how such damage could occur without “wilful disregard” and expressed sadness that an Indian instrument could not stay safe on an Indian airline.Her reaction has resonated widely with fans and musicians, many of whom have raised concerns about how delicate musical instruments are handled by airlines despite special packaging and additional handling charges.
