India

Budget 2025: A Glimpse Into Nirmala Sitharaman’s Iconic Budget Day Sarees

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is known for making statements with her sarees on Budget Day, showcasing India’s rich textile heritage and traditional craftsmanship.

This year, her choice of saree continued the tradition.

On Budget Day, Sitharaman wore an off-white saree adorned with intricate golden work, paired with a red blouse and a shawl.

She carried her signature ‘Bahi-Khata’, a tablet wrapped in red cloth with the national emblem embossed in gold.

This saree was not just a piece of clothing but also carried a special significance.

Dulari Devi, a self-taught Madhubani artist from Bihar and Padma Shri awardee, presented the saree to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Sitharaman met Dulari Devi during a credit outreach event at the Mithila Art Institute in Madhubani, where the artist gifted the saree and asked her to wear it on Budget Day.

Honoring the request, Sitharaman wore the saree as a tribute to Madhubani art and Dulari Devi’s exceptional skill.

Dulari Devi’s journey to becoming a renowned Madhubani artist is inspiring.

Coming from a fisherman community traditionally not involved in painting, she developed a passion for the art while working for Karpoori Devi, a famous Madhubani painter.

Despite facing immense hardships, including being abandoned by her husband at 16 and working as a domestic helper for 16 years, Dulari Devi persevered.

Her paintings often address important social issues such as child marriage, AIDS, and female foeticide.

She has created 10,000 paintings and displayed them in over 50 exhibitions across India, and has trained more than 1,000 students through organizations like the Mithila Art Institute and Seva Mithila Sansthan, ensuring the continued vitality of this traditional art form.

Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget Day Sarees

Sitharaman’s saree choice on Budget Day is not a new tradition. Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget Day saree choices have highlighted various traditional weaves and fabrics.

2019: Pink Mangalgiri silk saree with gold borders, paired with a red bahi khata.
2020: Yellow silk saree with green-lined borders, symbolizing hope and prosperity.
2021: Red and white Pochampally silk saree, promoting Indian weaving communities.
2022: Brown and maroon Bomkai saree from Odisha, showcasing regional craftsmanship.
2023: Red silk saree with black Kasuti embroidery from Karnataka.
2024: Blue Tussar silk saree with Kantha embroidery from West Bengal to present the Interim Budget, and a white silk saree with magenta borders and golden motifs for the Union Budget.