Ustad Amjad Ali Khan's sarod, which he has been strumming for the last 45 years, was restored to the iconic musician by British Airways after it went missing on a flight while he was returning to Delhi from London on Saturday night.
The 68-year-old Padma Vibhushan sarod maestro took to Twitter on Tuesday to announce that the instrument was delivered to him by British Airways, calling it an "epic reunion".
"Epic Reunion!!! BA delivers my Sarod. Thank you all for your prayers and love, especially the media for their...,"Khan tweeted.
Khan had gone to London along with his wife Subhalaxmi for a performance at Dartington College to celebrate the life of Rabindranth Tagore on June 21 and returned on the night of June 28.
He and his wife were travelling first class on BA flight (BA-143) on their return journey from London.
"But when we arrived at Delhi airport on June 28, I could not find my priceless sarod. We waited there for 4-5 hours while airline people tried to trace the instrument. But they were not able to trace it, and they said most likely it would come by the next flight," Khan told PTI on Monday.
"But now its more than 48 hours and still I am waiting for some news. How can such a big airline be so irresponsible," Khan said.
Khan later posted on his Facebook page, "After damaging my Sarod in 1997, British Airways now misplaces my Sarod. 48 hours and I still wait anxiously for some news. Still not traced!!!
When contacted, British Airways said on Monday, "There have been intermittent problems with Heathrow Airport's baggage system in Terminal 5. We are working round-the-clock to make sure we reunite all of our customers with their baggage as quickly as possible".
"This process has taken longer than anticipated and we apologise for the inconvenience caused," an airline spokesperson said on being asked about the missing sarod and when it will be returned to the maestro.
Image: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan performs at the United Nations. Photograph: Paresh Gandhi/Rediff.com
