Musician Anoushka Shankar, a globally recognized artist with multiple Grammy nominations, is preparing for a multi-city tour across India in January. Reflecting on her 30-year career as a sitarist, Shankar has become a prominent voice on the challenges facing contemporary musicians. She shared her experiences and insights during a recent interview.
“In some ways, it had all started in India. I had formed a band and started a three-year global tour here. Since then, we’ve released my three chapters of music, allowing it to evolve on stage across continents. Now, I can present this new iteration to people here,” she explained, highlighting her deep connection to India as the starting point for her musical journey.
While Indian music has achieved global reach, thanks in part to the accessibility offered by social media and streaming, Shankar remains critical of their role. “Social media helped young artistes reach an audience in a way that conventionally, we needed labels for. It removed that filter of in-between people, which is incredible. But I also think that was quickly manipulated,” she commented.
The 44-year-old artist expressed strong dissatisfaction with the current music industry system, particularly the impact of streaming. “Musicians now have to be their own publicist, marketer, own graphic designer; there’s more expected than just making music. And streaming has been absolute hell!” she stated emphatically.
Shankar believes that while streaming platforms initially seemed beneficial for bringing diverse music together, the reality for creators is harsh. “Musicians can’t earn any money from their music anymore,” she lamented. “It’s messed up that record labels and streaming platforms make all the money off what the creators are creating and that they don’t get (much). Artistes need to be fairly and properly recognised for what they do,” she concluded, calling for a more equitable system for musicians.