The musical world is abuzz, but not with a sweet melody. Renowned sitarist and composer Anoushka Shankar, daughter of the legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar, has recently highlighted an important problem faced in airlines with regard to the handling of sensitive musical instruments. Her straightforward and emotionally worded social media post told the story of significant damage to her sitar after flying with Air India. It has sparked an important conversation among artists and travelers alike across the globe.

This incident becomes particularly poignant as it involves a celebrated Indian classical artist and the country’s flagship carrier, Air India, which is presently undergoing a massive brand transformation centered on promoting India’s rich culture and presence globally.

The Heartbreak of a Broken Sitar

Anoushka Shankar, in a widely shared post, expressed being “devastated and truly disturbed” upon finding a deep crack in her sitar immediately after a recent Air India flight. The instrument-a deeply personal and professional necessity-had traveled safely across thousands of flights on other international carriers for years without incident.

The sitarist pointedly mentioned the irony and pain of the fact that it happened on a flight with the airline of the very country where this music originates. Despite having the instrument in a durable, specialized case and paying an extra handling fee, the sheer force of the impact caused irreparable harm.

Solidarity and outrage from fellow musicians, artists, and fans greeted this story. This incident confirms a persistent, frustrating problem in which performers try to ensure the safety of valuable, irreplaceable, and often fragile musical instruments when entrusting airline baggage handlers with said instruments.

Cultural Ambition vs. Reality: Air India

The timing of this incident is critical for Air India: Under the Tata Group’s stewardship, the airline has embarked on an all-inclusive transformation plan called Vihaan.AI, with a goal of becoming a world-class global carrier.

A large part of this brand repositioning involves embracing and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of India, as highlighted by the recent campaign “There is an Air About India.” The campaign underlines the nation’s vibrancy, ambition, and rich traditions, positioning Air India as a proud carrier of this spirit across the world.

However, Anoushka Shankar’s highly visible complaint acts as a jarring contradiction to this marketing narrative. When a cultural icon like Shankar finds her traditional Indian instrument damaged, that raises serious questions about the airline’s operational commitment to the cultural message it seeks to project. The sitar is not just baggage; it’s a symbol of India’s global musical contribution. The incident suggests a critical gap between the brand’s high level cultural communication and the ground level training and procedures for baggage handling.

The Global Debate on Instrument Travel

The Anoushka Shankar-Air India controversy is not an isolated incident but a flashpoint in an ongoing, global debate. There is a perpetual dilemma for musicians: to check in their instruments as fragile cargo or try carrying them in the cabin.

Most airlines charge musicians an additional fee either for a special handling service or to purchase a second seat for an oversized item. Shankar’s experience-where a paid handling fee did not safeguard against damage-strongly fuels the contention that current airline policies and baggage handling standards fall woefully short for fragile musical gear.

For an artist touring actively in India in early 2026 for her highly acclaimed Chapters Tour, an event marking 30 years of her live performances, this damage to her primary instrument means something more than just loss; it is rather a disruption to her professional schedule.

Air India acknowledged the complaint, stating that they were probing the matter and reviewing CCTV footage to ascertain the cause of the damage. If Air India is to successfully implement its transformation and strengthen its new cultural brand identity, swift and meaningful redressal, coupled with a public commitment to improved instrument handling protocols, is necessary. The music world is watching.