Thu Dec 04 16:00:00 UTC 2025: News Article:
Air India Under Fire After Anoushka Shankar’s Sitar Damaged on Flight
New Delhi, December 4, 2025 – Renowned sitarist Anoushka Shankar has publicly criticized Air India after her instrument was severely damaged during a recent flight. In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Shankar displayed a deep crack in her sitar, expressing her “devastation” and “deep concern” over the incident.
“You’re the country this music belongs to, and this is the first time anything like this has happened to my instrument in 15 or 17 years,” Shankar stated in her video, questioning how the damage could occur despite the instrument being in a special case and the airline charging a handling fee. She highlighted the irony of an Indian musical instrument being mishandled by an Indian airline.
Air India has responded with a statement, acknowledging the incident and initiating an investigation, including a review of CCTV footage at Delhi airport. “We are concerned to learn of a valued guest’s experience with their musical instrument on a recent flight with us,” the airline said, expressing regret for the distress caused. The statement also noted the complexity of handling such items, involving multiple stakeholders, and difficulty in determining the cause of the damage at this stage.
The incident has sparked outrage among fellow artists and fans. Comedian Zakir Khan and singer Vishal Dadlani described the incident as “heartbreaking,” while actress Lisa Ray called it “truly distressing.” Singer Papon lamented the lack of care shown in the handling of the instrument.
This is not the first travel-related challenge Shankar has faced recently. Last year, she lost her luggage, including essential finger picks (mizrabs), while in Berlin for a concert. However, she was able to find replacements with the help of social media and perform successfully.
The incident occurs ahead of a series of concerts scheduled for Shankar in India during January and February 2026, beginning on January 30 in Hyderabad. The outcome of Air India’s investigation remains to be seen.
First Piper 