Budget Fashion Edition: A look at Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s sarees for Budget Day over years
Budget Fashion Edition: India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman not only made headlines with her Union Budget presentations but also with her elegant and thoughtful sartorial choices.
Over the years, her sarees have become a topic of interest, symbolising grace, tradition, and the rich cultural heritage of India.
Ranging from silk to beautiful handlooms, the range of textiles reinforces her staunch support for Indian textiles and has become a rather unusual aspect of the budget that some people look forward to every year.
Union Budget 2024-25
For the Union Budget 2024-25, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman opted for an off-white checkered handloom saree with a contrasting purple and pink-hued blouse for the presentation of the first Budget on Tuesday of the third term of the NDA government led by PM Narendra Modi.
The elegant saree is adorned with a beautiful golden and purple border.
Notably, the off-white colour of her saree is associated with purity, harmony, and new beginnings in Indian culture. The addition of purple colour elevated the handloom saree.
February 2024
For her sixth budget speech, Sitharaman chose a blue coloured tussar silk saree with kantha handiwork that she teamed with an golden-hued blouse. In her hand she carried the 'bahi-khata', a tablet wrapped in a red-coloured cloth embossed with the gold-coloured national emblem.
Tussar silk is renowned for its distinctive texture and golden lustre. The coarse texture of Tussar silk distinguishes it and gives it a particular character.
Budget 2023-24
For the Budget presentation last year Nirmala Sitharaman opted for traditional temple border red saree.
Temple sarees are usually made of cotton, silk or a mix and worn for special occasions.
Budget 2022-23
For the 2022 budget, Sitharaman wore a Bomkai saree which originated in the village of Bomkai in Ganjam district, Odisha. She opted for a simple and elegant look by sporting a rusty brown saree with an off-white border. She completed her look with a small bindi and ear ring.
Budget 2021-22
Sitharaman wore a red and off-white silk Pochampally sari with ikat patterns around the pallu and a green border. Pochampally ikat is traditionally made in Bhoodan Pochampally, in Telangana, and is popularly known as the 'silk city of India'.
Budget 2020-21
In 2020, Sitharaman opted for a yellow-gold silk saree with a blue border and matching blouse. The yellow colour symbolises prosperity and during the time of pandemic, it reflected hope towards economic growth and development.
Budget 2019-20
During the Union Budget announcement in 2019, Sitharaman made a statement by wearing a Pink Mangalgiri saree with a gold border. This was the first time she replaced the briefcase with a 'bahi-khata'.
Nirmala Sitharaman's saree choices over the years have been more than just fashion statements; they have been a celebration of India's diverse textile traditions and a nod to the country's skilled artisans.
- With inputs from agencies
