Union Budget 2025: FM Nirmala Sitharaman Dons Madhubani Saree As Tribute To Dalit Artist Dulari Devi

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's choice of attire on Union Budget days has always attracted attention over the past seven years.

Her selection of sarees, featuring various colours and intricate embroideries, has always told a unique story.

This year, in her eighth consecutive Budget presentation, the minister wore an off-white handloom silk saree adorned with fish-themed embroidery and a golden border, paying tribute to Madhubani Art.

The saree was crafted by Padma awardee Dulari Devi.

Madhubani art, a traditional folk art form from Bihar's Mithila region, is known for its vibrant colours and symbolic motifs. Dulari Devi, inspired by her employer Karpoori Devi-an accomplished painter-embraced the art form.

Having faced numerous challenges in her life, Devi uses her paintings to raise awareness on issues such as child marriage, AIDS, and foeticide.

She has created at least 10,000 paintings displayed in over 50 exhibitions.

Sitharaman posed for the traditional 'briefcase' photograph in this saree outside her North Block office, flanked by her team of officials, before proceeding to meet the President.

Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget Day Attire Over the Years

For her first Budget presentation in 2019, Sitharaman wore a simple pink Mangalgiri saree with a gold border.

She also made history by replacing the leather briefcase, used for decades to carry the Budget documents, with a traditional 'bahi-khata' wrapped in red cloth.

In 2020, she opted for a bright yellow-gold silk saree for the presentation.

The following year, the minister wore a red and off-white silk Pochampally saree featuring ikat patterns and a green border.

Pochampally ikat is traditionally produced in Telangana. In 2022, she chose a rust brown Bomkai saree with off-white border detailing.

For the 2023 Union Budget, Sitharaman wore a red and black temple border saree with Kasuti threadwork.

Last year, she donned a blue tussar silk saree with Kantha handiwork. Tussar silk is celebrated for its distinctive texture and golden lustre.