Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s choice of attire for the annual Budget goes beyond a fashion statement – it’s a nod to India’s rich heritage and traditional artistry. This year, for her eighth consecutive Union Budget, she has opted for a handloom off white silk sari, adorned with Bihar’s iconic Madhubani art, reported ANI.
Paying homage to Padma Shri awardee Dulari Devi who hand-painted and gifted her this piece, Sitharaman chose to pair the five yards with a red blouse. Fishes embroidered in black, red and orange threads along with a golden border complement the creamy white expanse of the fabric.
According to a blog post by Rooftop, Dulari Devi hailing from the simple village of Ranti in Bihar, practices both forms of Madhubani art: Katchni, or line sketches, and Bharni, or color-filled paintings. She published her illustrated autobiography, ‘Following My Paint Brush’ in 2011, co-written by Gita Wolf. Martin Le Cause wrote her life story in the French book ‘Mithila’. For her immense contribution to the Madhubani art form and her inspiring journey, Dulari Devi was awarded the Padma Shri in 2021.
Nirmala Sitharaman wears a handloom Madhubani silk to present the budget. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)
Madhubani artist Vidushini Prasad told indianexpress.com that Madhubani art goes beyond just a form of expression, but is an important cultural asset of the Mithila region. Madhubani reflects the regions’s traditions, folklore and mythology, documenting their history and local tales through art.
This art form finds popularity mostly in women, with mothers and daughters engaged in handiwork for generations, passing down their artistry and legacy for their predecessors to nurture, celebrate and take forward. Modern day art finds Madhubani paintings not only on traditional canvas, paper and fabric, but also on digital mediums.