“Devastated & Disturbed”: Anoushka Shankar Calls Out Air India, Demands Safer Handling of Musical Instruments
Renowned sitar maestro Anoushka Shankar has called out Air India after her instrument was damaged during a flight. In a video posted on Instagram, she said that she initially thought her sitar was just out of tune until she picked it up to play and found severe damage.
Anoushka Shankar questioned how such damage could occur despite using special cases and paying a handling fee, saying that this was a first incident of its kind in 15 to 17 years of flying. In her caption, she wrote she was devastated and was disturbed by Air India’s treatment of her Sitar. She added that it felt extremely sad that an Indian instrument wasn’t safe with a national carrier.
Anoushka Shankar’s post on Instagram stated, “Devastated and truly disturbed by @airindia’s treatment of my sitar. How on earth does damage like this happen without willful disregard? It feels especially sad given that I’ve flown Air India after a long time, and it seems an Indian instrument can’t be safe with them- after all the thousand of flights taken on other airlines without even a peg going out of tune.”
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is also keeping a close Hawk eye on the Air India officials, considering the fact that there have been lapses on several occasions as far as different incidents are concerned. Anoushka Shankar’s has put the video of the damaged Sitar on social media. This is a matter of immense scrutiny of the particular Air India officials.
Later Anoushka wrote on Instagram, “First of all, THANK YOU everyone for your commiserations and support after my sitar was damaged on a flight this week. I have an incredible update- which is that it MAY be saved! I’m holding my breath whilst the truly amazing Ajay Rikhiram @rikhiramoriginals works on repairing my precious instrument, and I’m fervently hoping it will be brought back to life in time for my upcoming India Chapters tour. 🥹
ALSO, thanks to all your comments and shares, @airindia has reached out with apologies, an offer to compensate for the repairs and promises of a policy change after a full investigation into how this happened. Hopefuly they will follow through, as it’s not enough if it’s just me who gets the support. I hope this can mark a change in the way musical instruments and all other precious goods are handled – giving them the care they deserve. I will keep you posted on all fronts!”
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I am a content writer and a teacher with 17 years of experience. I write entertainment news.