An internationally renowned sitarist Anoushka Shankar, the daughter of the illustrious Ravi Shankar, has publicly condemned Air India after her sitar was damaged during her recent flight. She posted a video to Instagram which shows visible fractures in the instrument and confronted the airline for taking inappropriate care with her sitar which was in a special case for the duration of her flight.
What she said – disappointment and disbelief
Anoushka expressed her shock and disappointment in her video. She noted that initially she thought the sitar was simply out of tune when upon re-tuning it she found it to be damaged. She also stated that this was her first flight with Air India in several years; having paid for special baggage handling of her sitar, which she holds dear, she is extremely disappointed that Air India allowed the sitar to be damaged while using such improper care for the instrument. “How did you do this?”
The emotional connection – more than just a physical object
Anoushka believes that her sitar is more than just an instrument; it also represents her heritage, emotion, and decades of family tradition. In the caption below the video she shared, Anoushka describes the damage as “devastating and incredibly disturbing,” and wonders how “such a cavalier attitude” could possibly cause damage to an instrument that embodies such a lot of cultural significance to India.
Public Response and Calls for Answers
Fans and fellow musicians provided immediate support for the post. The widespread reaction included hundreds of comments with many people expressing that the damage was “heartbreaking” and demanding that Air India take responsibility for the incident.
Why This Matters – Heritage, Respect and Accountability
The event illustrates that for artists, their instruments are more than just tools; they represent their identity. Therefore, when an item that is considered to be very significant is treated poorly, it diminishes not just the artist’s work, but also how society views other artistic creations and how much cultural respect is afforded to such pieces. The event raises larger questions about airlines’ treatment of fragile items, no matter if a fee was paid to have them handled properly.
Vani Verma is a content writer with over 2 years of experience in lifestyle, entertainment, health and digital media. She has a knack for creating engaging and research-driven content that resonates with readers, blending creativity with clarity. Passionate about media trends, culture, and storytelling, she strives to craft content that informs, inspires, and connects.
