Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is known for making subtle yet impactful statements through her choice of sarees on Budget Day, often celebrating India’s rich textile heritage. This year, she continued this tradition, donning an exquisite off-white saree with intricate golden work, complemented by a red blouse and shawl. As always, she carried her signature ‘bahi-khata,’ a tablet wrapped in a red cloth adorned with the golden national emblem.
However, this saree carried even more significance. It was a gift from Dulari Devi, a renowned self-taught Madhubani artist from Bihar, who was honored with the Padma Shri award. The Finance Minister had met Dulari Devi during her visit to the Mithila Art Institute in Madhubani for a credit outreach event. At that meeting, Dulari Devi presented Sitharaman with the saree, expressing her wish for the Minister to wear it on Budget Day. In a heartfelt tribute to both Madhubani art and Dulari Devi’s exceptional talent, Sitharaman honored this request by wearing the gifted saree during her presentation of the Union Budget.
Dulari Devi’s journey is a remarkable story of resilience and creativity. Hailing from a fisherman community traditionally not associated with painting, she found her passion for Madhubani art while working with Karpoori Devi, an accomplished artist in the field. Despite facing numerous personal hardships—being abandoned by her husband at 16, the loss of her child, and working as a domestic helper for 16 years—Dulari Devi persisted in her art. Through her paintings, she has raised awareness on crucial social issues like child marriage, AIDS, and female foeticide.
Over the years, she has created over 10,000 paintings, exhibited in more than 50 exhibitions across India, and trained over 1,000 students through organizations such as the Mithila Art Institute and Seva Mithila Sansthan, ensuring the future of this traditional art form.
Sitharaman’s saree choices on Budget Day have consistently reflected India’s diverse textile traditions. In past years, she has showcased various iconic weaves, such as the pink Mangalgiri silk saree in 2019, the yellow silk saree symbolizing hope and prosperity in 2020, and a red and white Pochampally silk saree in 2021, highlighting Indian weaving communities. She also wore a brown Bomkai saree from Odisha in 2022 and a red silk saree with black Kasuti embroidery from Karnataka in 2023.
This year’s choice further underscores her ongoing effort to celebrate regional craftsmanship and honor the work of artists like Dulari Devi, bringing attention to the rich cultural tapestry of India.
