Renowned Grammy-nominated sitarist, music composer and producer Anoushka Shankar recently opened up about an unsettling experience with a fan that got her thinking about personal boundaries, trauma and healing. She revealed that during post-show interaction, a man physically lifted her off the ground without seeking her permission.
Anoushka Shankar shares what happened when fan lifted her without consent
Taking to Instagram to recount the unsettling experience, Anoushka shared, “A man picked me up last weekend. I mean, it physically lifted me. He asked if he could, but didn’t wait for an answer before I found myself suspended in the air, clasped in a bear hug by a stranger, feet dangling. I had been meeting a few fans after a show, and it all happened so fast. I laughed awkwardly and asked to be let down, I signed his poster, I smiled and waved.“
Anoushka Shankar says her history of abuse made it hard to respond in the moment
Anoushka was quick to clarify that she did not think the man had any bad intentions, and that he was probably just too excited and did not think before acting. The music composer said she still believes that to be true. However, she admitted that she was surprised to see people around her react with much more shock and anger over the incident than she had felt herself. She added, “Days later, the reality has sunk in. Once again, my history of abuse meant I didn’t know how to respond appropriately to someone crossing my boundaries in real time. I centred his hypothetical intent over my lived experience of discomfort. When this happens, feelings of shame, dismay and frustration can arise. How can I still be grappling with these never-ending nuances?”
Anoushka Shankar says one moment was enough to bring back old pain
She shared that even though she has come a long way in her healing journey, one moment was enough to bring back old pain. Opening up about her feelings, she concluded, “Another layer of childhood memories resurfacing and shedding. I share this to say: if, like me, you hold these experiences within yourself, please go gently. (Yes, I find it easier to tell others this than myself). The path of healing curves, and is never linear. If you lost your voice again for a moment, remember you can find it, always, within. The gulf between our bodies, our emotions, and how our minds are able to read them is narrowing with every moment that separates us from our past.”
Anoushka Shankar earns 14 Grammy nominations across her illustrious career
Anoushka has had an impressive run at the Grammy Awards, earning nominations across various categories in 2006, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2023, and 2024. In 2025, she added two more feathers to her cap, receiving her 13th Grammy nomination for ‘Daybreak’ in the Best Global Music Performance category and her 14th nomination for the album ‘Chapter III: We Return to Light’ in the Best Global Music Album category.
