Nirmala Sitharaman’s saree choices across nine Budgets celebrate Indian textile traditions
Nirmala Sitharaman’s saree choices across nine Budgets celebrate Indian textile traditions
From Mangalgiri and Pochampally to Bomkai and Madhubani, Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget Day sarees over the past nine years have quietly championed Indian handlooms, regional weaves, and artisan voices on the country’s biggest political stage.
Nirmala Sitharaman’s nine handloom sarees, worn across different Budget presentations, quietly trace the richness of India’s textile heritage. From regional weaves to folk art traditions, each look turns Budget Day into a subtle celebration of Indian craftsmanship and artisan pride.
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For the 2026 Budget presentation, Nirmala Sitharaman stayed true to her now-signature language of restraint and symbolism. She arrived in a purple Kattam Kancheevaram saree with a muted gold brown checks border, elegant, unfussy, and rooted in tradition, paired with minimal jewellery and her trademark red Budget bahi-khata.
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For her record eighth consecutive Budget, Sitharaman chose an off-white handloom saree adorned with fish-themed Madhubani motifs and golden borders, created by Padma awardee artist Dulari Devi in honour of Bihar’s artistic traditions. This was more than fashion; it was a wearable homage to folk art and artisan voices
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In early 2024, a blue tussar silk with kantha handiwork graced her interim Budget appearance, blending rustic hand-painted motifs with the understated elegance tussar silk is known for.
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Later that year, for the full Budget, Nirmala Sitharaman opted for a white silk with purple-gold border, an ensemble blending purity and regal flourish, classic colours that spoke of balance and optimism
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In 2023, the finance minister turned heads in a red and black temple-border saree with Kasuti embroidery. This choice was both festive and reverent, a textile narrative rooted in Karnataka’s rich weave culture.
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A rustic Bomkai saree from Odisha brought depth and warmth. During the 2022 budget, the economist paired earthy tones with subtle detailing, a nod to the enduring beauty of eastern handloom traditions
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The Finance Minister wore a red and off-white silk Pochampally ikat saree from Telangana during the 2021 Union Budget presentation. The saree featured off-white accents and a golden border. The renowned Pochampally silk from Telangana was highlighted, showcasing its striking ikat designs that reflect India's artistic heritage.
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In a year dominated by the pandemic’s economic fallout, Nirmala went bright with a yellow-gold silk, a hue traditionally linked with prosperity and hope. Subtle but powerful, the choice was fashion with forward thinking
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Sitharaman’s choice for her debut Budget in 2019 was a graceful pink Mangalgiri silk saree with a golden border. This simple, elegant first note set the tone for her fashion philosophy, handloom first
