Anoushka Shankar recounts unwelcome fan encounter

Sitarist Anoushka Shankar has revealed that an awkward fan encounter reminded her of past abuse and left her thinking about why she still finds it difficult to maintain personal boundaries.

The Grammy-nominated artist, who is the daughter of sitarist Ravi Shankar, opened up in 2013 about being sexually abused as a child by a man her parents trusted.

In a post on Sunday, Shankar, 44, said the latest fan encounter left her conflicted.

''A man picked me up last weekend. I mean, 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,'' Shankar recalled in the post.

The musician said she thought and still believes that the man had ''no ill intent'' and was simply overexcited and thoughtless, but when she narrated the encounter, those around her were shocked and upset.

''Days later, the reality has sunk in. Once again, my l 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? I have come so far in this process of healing yet a single moment can show me further wounds still enclosed within. Another layer of childhood's memories resurfacing and shedding,'' she recalled.

Shankar said she shared this to to encourage others in their journey towards healing.

''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,'' the musician added.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)