NEW DELHI: It took a month for Padma Shri awardee Dulari Devi to craft the intricate Madhubani saree that Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman chose to wear on Budget Day.
The finance minister, known for incorporating India’s rich textile heritage into her wardrobe choices, showcased the intricate artwork while presenting the Budget on Saturday.
Dulari Devi, a renowned Madhubani artist from Bihar, had met Sitharaman during the latter’s visit to the Mithila Art Institute in Madhubani for a credit outreach event.During their interaction, Devi presented her handcrafted saree to the minister and requested that she wear it on Budget Day.
Speaking to ANI, Devi expressed her joy at seeing the finance minister honor her request. “Sitharaman ji came to Mithila Chitrakala Sansthan, and the saree gifted to her was made by me. It is called Banglori silk. I had requested her to wear the saree. It took me a month to make it. I am very happy that she wore it today. It is a great honor for Bihar and the country,” she said.
The off-white saree, featuring intricate golden designs, was paired with a red blouse and a shawl as Sitharaman carried her signature ‘bahi-khata’—a tablet wrapped in red cloth with a golden national emblem.
Hailing from a fishing community that traditionally did not engage in painting, Dulari Devi discovered her love for Madhubani art while working for Karpoori Devi, a well-known painter in the field. Overcoming significant personal hardships—including being abandoned by her husband at 16, losing her child, and working as a domestic helper for 16 years—she dedicated herself to mastering the craft.
Today, Devi is a celebrated artist who has created over 10,000 paintings and exhibited her work in more than 50 exhibitions across India. Her art serves as a medium for raising awareness on social issues such as child marriage, AIDS, and female foeticide. She has also trained more than 1,000 students through institutions like the Mithila Art Institute and Seva Mithila Sansthan, ensuring the preservation and continuation of this traditional art form.
This is not the first time Nirmala Sitharaman has used her attire to highlight India’s textile heritage. Over the years, her choice of sarees on Budget Day has paid homage to various traditional weaves and fabrics, celebrating the country’s diverse craftsmanship.
