Who Is Anoushka Shankar? British-American Musician Calls Out Air India For Breaking Her Sitar: ‘How Have You Done This…’

Internationally acclaimed sitar player Anoushka Shankar has strongly criticised Air India after her sitar was found damaged following a recent journey. The musician shared her frustration on Instagram, saying she was devastated’ by the state of her instrument, especially since she had paid an additional handling fee to ensure its safety. Anoushka, who is the daughter of legendary sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, said this was her first time flying with Air India in many years. She explained that she initially thought the instrument was simply out of tune. However, once she picked it up to play, she discovered serious cracks and structural damage. She shared a video on social media showing the extent of the breakage, expressing disbelief that such harm could occur despite using a special protective case.

In the video, the musician Anoushka Shankar is heard saying, “This was my first time flying Air India in a long time. You’re the country this music belongs to. This is the first time anything like this has happened to my instrument in 15 or 17 years.” She questioned the airline directly, asking, “How have you done this? You charge a handling fee and yet this is what has happened?” Her Instagram caption further highlighted her disappointment. She wrote that she was “truly disturbed” by Air India’s treatment of her sitar and wondered how such damage could occur without ‘wilful disregard’. What made it even more upsetting for her was that she had flown with many international airlines over the years and had never faced such an incident, not even a small part of the sitar going out of tune.

 

 

 

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A post shared by Anoushka Shankar (@anoushkashankarofficial)

Meanwhile, the post quickly drew attention, with fans and fellow artists expressing support. Comedian Zakir Khan called the situation ‘extremely heartbreaking’, while music composer Vishal Dadlani said he was ‘so sorry’ to hear about the damage. Many urged Air India to respond and take responsibility. Despite the growing conversation online, Air India has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the incident.

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On the other hand, the incident comes shortly after Anoushka received several Grammy nominations for her latest project, Chapter III: We Return to Light, created with sarod maestro Alam Khan and percussionist Sarathy Korwar. The EP has been recognised in the Best Global Music Album category for the 2026 Grammy Awards, which will take place on February 1 in Los Angeles. Anoushka Shankar continues to be one of the most influential figures in global music. With fourteen Grammy nominations and numerous international collaborations, she remains a respected ambassador for Indian classical music worldwide.