A deeply upset Anoushka Shankar has accused Air India of damaging her sitar during a recent flight, expressing shock that such an incident could happen in India — the birthplace of the instrument she has dedicated her life to.
The Grammy-nominated sitarist posted a video on Instagram on Wednesday, showing a major crack on the lower, rounded end of her sitar, a part critical to the instrument’s acoustic structure.
“How have you done this?” — Anoushka’s Emotional Post
In the video, she explained that she initially thought her instrument was “just out of tune,” but when she lifted it to play, she saw the devastating damage.
“This was my first time flying Air India after a long time… You’re the country this music belongs to, and this is the first time anything like this has happened in 15 or 17 years. How have you done this?” she asked.
She also mentioned that despite using specialized protective cases and paying extra handling fees, the instrument was still mishandled.
Posting her disappointment, she wrote:
“I’m devastated and deeply troubled by Air India’s handling of my sitar… even an Indian instrument isn’t safe with them after countless flights on other airlines without a single peg going out of tune.”
Air India Responds: “We Are Investigating”
An Air India spokesperson released a detailed statement on Thursday, confirming that the airline has launched an internal inquiry, including:
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Reviewing CCTV footage at Delhi airport
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Examining handling procedures
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Coordinating with multiple stakeholders responsible for large or fragile instruments
“We are concerned to learn of a valued guest’s experience… We deeply regret the distress this incident may have caused,” the statement said.
“We are unable to confirm the cause of the damage yet and are engaging with the guest to understand where it may have occurred.”
Support From Artists & the Music Community
Several prominent figures expressed outrage over the incident:
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Zakir Khan – called it “heartbreaking”
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Vishal Dadlani – said it was “unacceptable”
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Lisa Ray – termed it “truly distressing”
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Papon – wrote, “Genuine care feels so rare these days… heartbreaking.”
Upcoming India Tour
Anoushka Shankar, daughter of legendary sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, is scheduled to perform across India in January and February.
Her tour begins January 30 in Hyderabad, making the damage to her primary instrument especially distressing.
Not Her First Travel Trouble
In 2024, during her European tour, Shankar lost her luggage in Berlin — including her custom-fitted mizrabs, the finger picks essential for playing the sitar.
Netizens stepped in and helped her source Indian clothing and tools so she could perform at her sold-out show at the Berlin Philharmonic.
