Renowned sitarist Anoushka Shankar, daughter of Pandit Ravi Shankar, recently shared a shocking incident where her sitar was damaged while traveling on an Air India flight. The musician expressed her distress on social media, drawing attention to how airlines handle delicate musical instruments during air travel.
How the Damage Was Discovered
Anoushka noticed something was wrong when her sitar sounded unusually out of tune. Upon closer inspection, she found a significant crack on the lower part of the instrument. She shared her disappointment at the incident, noting that this was her first experience with Air India in many years and that her instrument had never been damaged on other flights.
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The Emotional Impact on the Musician
The damage was not only financial but emotional. For Anoushka, the sitar holds cultural and personal significance. She highlighted that despite special handling requests and paying extra fees, the instrument was mishandled, which left her deeply upset. She emphasized that even an Indian classical instrument deserves proper care when traveling with the national carrier.
Air India Responds to the Incident
Air India issued a statement acknowledging the situation and confirming that an investigation is underway. A spokesperson expressed concern over the mishap, mentioning the cultural and personal importance of musical instruments. The airline stated it is engaging directly with Anoushka to resolve the issue while investigating the cause of the damage, as multiple agents and handling stages are involved in air travel.
Public Reaction and Celebrity Support
Following Anoushka’s post, netizens and fellow musicians expressed sympathy and concern. Many shared their experiences of fragile instruments being damaged during air travel. The incident sparked debate about the responsibilities of airlines when handling valuable or delicate items, with some criticizing Air India for negligence.
Timing of the Incident
The damage came at a critical point in Anoushka’s career. Her latest project, Chapter III: We Return to Light, has earned several Grammy nominations for 2026. Despite this setback, she continues to prepare for her upcoming concert series in India starting January 30 in Hyderabad. Fans remain hopeful that the incident will not affect her performances.