Nirmala Sitharaman picks blue silk saree for her 6th consecutive budget

FINANCE Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, hours before presenting the anticipated Interim Budget 2024, made an appearance donning a striking blue and cream-coloured tussar saree with kantha handwork, sending a resounding "vocal for local" message.

This sartorial choice is consistent with her previous Budget Day ensembles and reflects her known love for Indian textiles.

Tussar silk is celebrated for its unique texture and golden sheen. What sets Tussar silk apart is its coarse texture, which adds a distinct character to the fabric.

Kantha is a traditional embroidery technique native to West Bengal and involves stitching together layers of old sarees or dhotis, creating a quilt-like effect.  Intricate patterns and motifs on sarees are done by running stitches.

A constant companion in her Budget presentations is the iconic red book. The book has evolved from the traditional 'bahi khata' in her first budget to a tablet in a red cover from 2021 onwards.

Last year, she made an appearance on Budget Day in a handwoven red Ilkal saree adorned with Navalagunda embroidery, a gift from Minister Pralhad Joshi.

In a nod to her roots, Sitharaman's choice of the maroon Ilkal silk saree was a celebration of Karnataka's Dharwad region's unique craftsmanship. The traditional 'Kasuti' work on the saree, with a geographical indication (GI) tag, highlighted the rich heritage of the Dharwad region.

Kasuti, a form of folk embroidery, intricately showcased chariots, peacocks, and lotuses, embodying the essence of this traditional craft. Designed by 'Arathi Crafts,' owned by Arati Hiremath in Dharwad, the heavy silk saree weighed 800 grams, adding substance to the finance minister's distinctive style. Sitharaman is a Rajya Sabha from Karnataka.

In 2022, her choice shifted to a rustic brown Bomkai saree, a departure from the vibrant hues of previous years. The finance minister, in 2021, wore a red and off-white Pochampally saree.

Sitharaman's sixth budget presentation marks the culmination of the second term of the Narendra Modi government, with projections indicating a close to 7 per cent growth for the Indian economy in the financial year 2024-25.