Sitar Maestro Anoushka Shankar’s Instrument Damaged; Air India Responds

Sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar has provided an update on her beloved sitar, which was severely damaged during a recent Air India flight. Initially expressing profound distress and frustration on Instagram, Shankar shared images of the broken instrument, questioning how such damage could occur. She highlighted that in 15-17 years of flying with her sitar, this was an unprecedented and deeply upsetting event, especially considering her Indian heritage and the instrument’s significance. Following her public announcement, Air India launched an investigation and released a statement expressing concern for their ‘valued guest’ and regretting the distress caused. While the exact cause of the damage is still under review, involving various handling agents, the airline has committed to addressing the issue. The latest news is that the sitar is undergoing repairs by a specialist craftsman, with Shankar expressing cautious optimism about its restoration in time for her ‘India Chapters’ tour. The airline has also offered compensation for the repair expenses and pledged to review their policies regarding the handling of musical instruments, a move Shankar hopes will lead to lasting improvements for all artists.