Every year, when Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman steps up to present the Union Budget of India, her saree selection becomes as much a talking point as the fiscal policies and tax proposals she announces. For the last several years, Sitharaman has made it a point to choose handwoven sarees that showcase India’s rich textile and handloom heritage. Beyond their visual appeal, these sarees tell a deeper story of culture, tradition, and craftsmanship, subtly promoting local artisans and celebrating the diversity of Indian fabrics.
The Budget presentation is often regarded as a highly formal occasion, where policies are laid out, and economic forecasts are discussed. Yet, Sitharaman’s sartorial choices add an element of cultural expression to the event, transforming it into a visual and national celebration of India’s artistic richness. Whether it is a regional weave, intricate embroidery, or vibrant colours, the finance minister’s sarees have become iconic and reflect her enduring love for handloom. Let’s take a look back at the collection of sarees she has worn on Budget Day, each one telling a unique story.
2019: A Traditional Beginning
Sitharaman’s first Budget in 2019 was marked by two memorable features. First, she broke the tradition of carrying a briefcase and instead presented the Budget in a bahi khata—a traditional ledger used by Indian merchants. Second, her saree choice, a pink Mangalgiri silk saree with gold borders, set the tone for the years to follow. Mangalgiri, known for its simple yet elegant weave, comes from Andhra Pradesh and is cherished for its fine cotton fabrics. The choice of a pink saree, paired with the bahi khata, symbolized a return to tradition, weaving a connection between India’s past and its contemporary economic challenges.
2020: The Yellow of Prosperity
In 2020, Sitharaman once again chose a silk saree, this time in a bright yellow hue with a green-lined border. Yellow, often regarded as a colour of prosperity and auspiciousness in Hindu culture, carried deep symbolic weight. The saree was not just a fashion statement, but a visual message of hope and optimism amidst the economic challenges India was facing that year, which included the COVID-19 pandemic. The green border subtly reflected the theme of sustainability, aligning with the government’s goals of boosting green economic recovery.
2021: Supporting Local Weavers
In 2021, Sitharaman wore a Pochampally silk saree that captured the essence of South India’s weaving heritage. Pochampally, a village in Telangana, is renowned for its Ikat technique—one of the oldest and most intricate textile traditions in the world. The saree, which featured red and white hues, was a tribute to the local weavers and artisans of the region. By donning a Pochampally silk, Sitharaman highlighted the importance of supporting India’s grassroots textile industries, especially during a time when small businesses and local artisans needed greater recognition and government support.
Her decision to wear this saree was a conscious effort to promote indigenous art forms, aligning perfectly with the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative. The intricate patterns on the fabric were not just a testament to the skill of the weavers but also a reminder of India’s ability to produce world-class textiles with a sustainable and ethical approach.
2022: Honouring Odisha’s Bomkai Weave
The 2022 Budget saw Sitharaman don a Bomkai saree, a striking piece of textile art from Odisha. Bomkai sarees, with their maroon and gold borders, are a representation of Odisha’s rich cultural and handloom legacy. The saree’s geometric patterns and vibrant colours showcased the distinctive style of the Bomkai weavers, who have been practicing this craft for generations. Bomkai sarees are known for their durability and the detailed work, often involving a combination of intricate embroidery and ikat weaving techniques.
By wearing the Bomkai saree, Sitharaman not only honored Odisha’s regional craftsmanship but also raised awareness of the need to preserve such artisanal crafts that are slowly losing prominence in the face of industrialization. The warm brown of the saree symbolized tradition, while the maroon and gold borders added a sense of festivity and significance, underscoring the importance of cultural continuity.
2023: A Bold Red Tribute to Karnataka’s Kasuti Embroidery
In 2023, Sitharaman chose a vibrant red silk saree adorned with black temple motifs along the borders. The saree was a tribute to the traditional Kasuti embroidery of Karnataka, which is known for its delicate and intricate designs that often feature motifs from Hindu mythology, nature, and daily life. The Kasuti embroidery is characterized by the use of fine, detailed stitching, often in contrasting colours, to create patterns that are both visually striking and steeped in cultural significance.
The red colour of the saree was not only striking but also held deep cultural relevance, as red is often considered a symbol of power, strength, and vitality. By choosing a Kasuti saree, Sitharaman emphasized the importance of reviving traditional crafts, particularly those from regional cultures that hold a distinct place in India’s diverse handloom history.
2024: West Bengal’s Kantha Embroidery
For the 2024 Budget, Sitharaman wore a blue tussar silk saree featuring intricate Kantha embroidery, a traditional craft from West Bengal. Kantha, a type of hand-stitched embroidery, is known for its use of simple running stitches to create elaborate patterns, often reflecting motifs from nature, folklore, and everyday life. The blue tussar silk, paired with the bright and colorful Kantha embroidery, was a celebration of West Bengal’s vibrant textile traditions.
This saree, with its combination of simplicity and intricacy, perfectly captured the essence of the Indian handloom spirit—deeply rooted in the past yet continually evolving. The choice to wear a saree that highlighted Kantha embroidery was a nod to the state’s contribution to India’s textile industry, particularly to the promotion of sustainable and eco-friendly fabrics like tussar silk.
A Symbol of Cultural Continuity
Each saree worn by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Budget Day tells a different story—whether it’s a tribute to the artisans of Telangana, Odisha, Karnataka, or West Bengal, or a broader celebration of India’s rich and diverse handloom traditions. Through her sartorial choices, Sitharaman not only highlights the importance of supporting local weavers and artisans but also connects the nation’s economic progress with its cultural heritage.
Her commitment to wearing handwoven sarees has transformed the Budget presentation into an occasion for cultural reflection, adding a layer of storytelling to the annual event. As India continues to evolve economically, Sitharaman’s choice of sarees serves as a reminder that true progress lies not only in modernity but also in honoring and preserving the traditions that have shaped the nation’s identity.
In an era where fashion often comes with fast trends and mass production, Sitharaman’s love for handloom serves as a powerful statement—one that champions the cause of sustainable fashion, supports India’s artisans, and celebrates the timeless beauty of traditional crafts.