Renowned sitar player Anoushka Shankar has announced the successful restoration of her precious sitar, which was severely damaged while being transported on an Air India flight. The musician shared the positive update on social media, expressing immense gratitude towards master luthier Ajay Rikhiram for his expert work in bringing the instrument back to life.
A Painful Incident and a Skilled Restoration
Posting a photograph of the repaired sitar on Instagram, Shankar described the past few days as "insane" but said she was "so grateful" to Rikhiram for "breathing life back into" the instrument. She noted that she is currently waiting for the final polish to dry completely before she can play it again. The restoration was handled by Ajay Rikhiram of Rikhiram Originals, who commented on the post, stating they were honoured to restore the sitar's "soul."
A Systemic Problem Spanning Decades
In a detailed note accompanying the update, Shankar clarified that while this specific event involved Air India, the mishandling of musical instruments is a chronic, industry-wide issue. She revealed that over her decades-long career, she has endured multiple "terrible mishaps" with airlines. These repeated incidents forced her to adopt extensive and costly precautions for travel.
Her protective measures include:
- Travelling with two sitars as a backup.
- Booking an extra airline seat for one of the instruments.
- Flying with a dedicated sitar technician.
- Investing in heavy-duty flight cases and later, custom carbon-fibre cases.
Shankar called these steps a "privilege" but also a "forced choice," emphasising that care for musicians' instruments remains "universally poor" across airlines.
Public Outcry Leads to Promised Policy Changes
The sitarist expressed relief that she had publicly shared a video of the cracked instrument, as the resulting attention prompted Air India to respond. The airline reportedly promised her updates to its internal handling policies for musicians' instruments. Shankar expressed hope that other carriers would follow suit, calling it "the least they can do" in an already challenging touring climate for artists.
Her post triggered a massive wave of reactions from fans, followers, and fellow musicians globally. Many thanked her for using her platform to highlight the persistent problem, while others shared their own frustrations and anxieties about airline negligence.
One user pointed out that ground staff often "throw luggage" due to time constraints, arguing it is cheaper for airlines to pay for damages than to reform their handling systems. Several musicians echoed Shankar's experience, describing the agonising wait to see if their instruments emerge safely from the aircraft hold as "painfully familiar."
The discussion also turned nostalgic, with a widely shared comment recalling a 1970s Air India flight where her father, the legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar, travelled with his sitar strapped into its own seat, treating it as his "life and treasure." This anecdote underscored how long this struggle has persisted for performing artists.
While Anoushka Shankar's sitar is now playable again, the conversation she ignited about instrument safety is far from over. Her experience has renewed urgent calls for all airlines to establish clearer, more respectful policies and handling protocols for the invaluable tools of artists' trades.
