On the brink of making history as the first Finance Minister to deliver eight consecutive Union Budgets, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived at the Parliament draped in an exquisite saree, paying tribute to India’s cultural legacy. The saree, embellished with detailed Madhubani artwork, was a gift from Padma Shri recipient Dulari Devi , acknowledging the enduring significance of this traditional art form and its skilled craftsmen, as reported by news agency ANI. Budget with ET Union Budget 2025 Live Updates Income Tax Budget 2025 Live Updates Sensex Today | Stock Market LIVE Updates Fulfilling the artist’s request, Sitharaman chose to wear the meticulously hand-painted saree for this momentous event, making a powerful statement about India’s rich artistic traditions.
Over time, she has consistently utilized her wardrobe to showcase India’s vast textile heritage, selecting sarees that represent the cultural identity of different regions across the country. Who Is Dulari Devi? Dulari Devi, a celebrated Maithili painter, received the Padma Shri in 2021 for her contributions to the art form. Hailing from a fishermen community, which traditionally had little connection to Madhubani art , Dulari’s journey is remarkable.
She learned the craft from Karpoori Devi, an accomplished painter, while working as a housemaid. Overcoming personal hardships—including being abandoned by her husband at 16 and losing her child—she dedicated herself to art. Dulari Devi h.
