Nirmala Sitharaman obliges Dulari Devi, wears her gifted Madhubani art saree on Budget Day
Budget 2025: Madhubani artist and Padma Shri awardee Dulari Devi, dedicated to preserving Mithila art, presented a hand-painted saree to Nirmala Sitharaman.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, presenting her eighth consecutive Union Budget, arrived at Parliament dressed in an elegant saree that celebrated India's rich cultural heritage. The saree, adorned with intricate Madhubani artwork, was a thoughtful gift from Padma Shri awardee Dulari Devi, symbolising a tribute to the centuries-old art form and its skilled artisans, as reported by news agency ANI.
Honouring the 53-year-old artist’s wish, Sitharaman chose the hand-painted saree for the historic occasion, making a strong statement about India’s rich artistic traditions. Over the years, she has often used her attire to highlight India’s diverse textile heritage, wearing sarees that reflect the cultural legacy of various regions.
Who is Dulari Devi?
Dulari Devi, a celebrated Madhubani artist and Padma Shri-laurate, met the Union Finance Minister during a credit outreach event at the Mithila Art Institute in Madhubani, Bihar. She had a meaningful discussion with Nirmala Sitharaman about the cultural significance of Madhubani art. In a heartfelt gesture, Devi presented a hand-painted saree to Sitharaman, expressing her wish for it to be worn on a special occasion.
Devi expressed her overwhelming gratitude, saying, “I had never dreamt of seeing my saree reach the portals of Parliament. But this has happened. It is a great gesture on part of the finance minister to bless me.” Sitharaman, known for highlighting India’s textile heritage through her sartorial choices, made a symbolic statement by donning the traditional hand-painted saree, showcasing India’s rich artistic traditions.
Dulari Devi’s life story is one of resilience and determination. Married off at the age of 13, she faced immense hardship when her husband abandoned her at 16, following the death of her infant daughter. Despite never attending school or learning to read and write, she pursued Madhubani art passionately, drawing inspiration from renowned painters like Mahasundari Devi and Karpoori Devi. Her work, often infused with social messages on issues like child marriage, HIV/AIDS awareness, and women's struggles, has been showcased at several exhibitions.
{{/usCountry}}Dulari Devi’s life story is one of resilience and determination. Married off at the age of 13, she faced immense hardship when her husband abandoned her at 16, following the death of her infant daughter. Despite never attending school or learning to read and write, she pursued Madhubani art passionately, drawing inspiration from renowned painters like Mahasundari Devi and Karpoori Devi. Her work, often infused with social messages on issues like child marriage, HIV/AIDS awareness, and women's struggles, has been showcased at several exhibitions.
{{/usCountry}}A self-taught artist from a fishing community not traditionally associated with painting, Devi has trained over 1,000 budding artists in Madhubani art, ensuring the craft’s legacy continues. In 2021, she also presented her artwork to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed gratitude and shared their meeting on social media.
On Budget Day, Sitharaman also announced the creation of a Makhana Board to support Mithila farmers with training, financial assistance, and other resources. Additionally, the Paschimi Kosi Nahar Yojana was unveiled, promising to provide irrigation for 50,000 hectares, further benefiting the Mithila region. These initiatives, along with the finance minister's thoughtful gesture, were seen as a tribute to Bihar’s cultural and agricultural heritage.
About Madhubani art
Madhubani art, also known as Mithila painting, is a traditional folk art form originating from the Mithila region of Bihar, India. Characterised by intricate patterns, vibrant colours, and detailed motifs, this art form is typically created using natural dyes and pigments on handmade paper, cloth, and walls. Traditionally practiced by women, Madhubani paintings often depict mythological themes, nature, and scenes from everyday life, with motifs of peacocks, fish, lotus flowers, and geometric patterns symbolising prosperity and fertility. The artwork is made using fine brushes, twigs, or even fingers, with a distinct style that leaves no empty spaces, filling the canvas with elaborate detailing.
Budget 2025
The Union Budget 2025, presented by the Finance Minister at 11 AM on Saturday, February 1, marks her eighth consecutive budget presentation. This milestone makes her the first finance minister in Indian history to achieve this feat, surpassing Morarji Desai's previous record of six consecutive budgets.
The Union Budget 2025-2026 introduced a massive relief for income tax payers. The finance minister announced that there will be no income tax payable for those with an income up to ₹12 lakh.
“I propose to revise tax rate structures as follows: 0 to ₹4 Lakhs - nil, ₹4 Lakhs to ₹8 Lakhs - 5%, ₹8 Lakhs to ₹12 Lakhs - 10%, ₹12 Lakhs to ₹16 Lakhs - 15%, ₹16 Lakhs to ₹20 Lakhs - 20%, ₹20 Lakhs to ₹24 Lakhs - 25% and above ₹24 Lakhs - 30%. To taxpayers up to ₹12 Lakhs of normal income other than special rate income such as capital gains, a tax rebate is being provided in addition to the benefit due to slab rate reduction in such a manner that there is no tax payable by them,” Nirmala Sitharaman said.
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