Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan is in trouble after six musical instruments belonging to his troupe went missing following a British Airways journey. The group, currently touring the US, is due to perform on Saturday and has asked the airline to trace the baggage on priority.
Amjad Ali Khan’s troupe waits for missing instruments
The troupe, which includes his sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, is still waiting for the six pieces of luggage that hold their instruments. This is not the first time the airline has caused such a problem for the musician. In 2014, his beloved sarod, which he calls Ganga, was lost for 48 hours during a London to Delhi trip before it was eventually found.
Concert schedule at risk
As per the musician’s official website, a show is planned at the Montalvo Arts Center Carriage House Theatre in Saratoga, California, on November 14. The tour is spread over five days across October and November, with two more concerts to follow on November 21 and November 22.
Amjad Ali Khan’s appeal to British Airways
On Friday morning, Amjad Ali Khan posted a series of messages on X, tagging the airline and asking for quick help.He wrote, “We are currently on a tour in the US, and our musical instruments are essential to our performances. We urgently need our six delayed baggage pieces containing our instruments delivered ASAP.”In a follow-up post, he said, “Please treat this as an urgent priority, as our upcoming performances and professional commitments depend on them. We request your immediate attention and assistance in locating and delivering our baggage. Please help us resolve this urgently, @British Airways.”
Fans and the airline respond
Admirers of the musician reacted to the posts and asked the airline to step in. One user even tagged former British PM Rishi Sunak, requesting him to push British Airways to return the instruments.A spokesperson for the airline said, “We are in direct contact with our customer and are doing all that we can to reunite him with his baggage at the very earliest. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused.”
Airline’s record with musical instruments
The carrier has often drawn criticism for delays and damage involving instruments of well-known musicians. Last year, guitars belonging to The Staples Jr Singers were lost and damaged on a London to Paris flight, while instruments of The Bridge City Sinners were also misplaced this year.