As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present the Union Budget for 2026–27, attention has once again turned to her choice of attire, which has over the years become a quiet yet powerful celebration of India’s handloom heritage. For this year’s Budget presentation, Ms. Sitharaman will be seen wearing a magenta-coloured Kattam Kanjeevaram (Kancheepuram) silk saree from Tamil Nadu.
The saree features traditional golden-hued kattam, or checks, a distinctive hallmark of Kanjeevaram weaves, complemented by a coffee-brown border adorned with intricate threadwork. She has paired the saree with a plain yellow, full-sleeve blouse, lending the ensemble a balanced and understated elegance.
Kanjeevaram sarees are among India’s most celebrated handwoven silks, renowned for their durability, lustrous texture, and elaborate designs. Traditionally worn during weddings and other auspicious occasions, these sarees are deeply rooted in Tamil Nadu’s cultural and artistic traditions. The weavers of Kancheepuram often draw inspiration from temple architecture, mythological narratives, and sacred motifs, translating them into complex patterns on silk.
The silk weaving tradition of Kancheepuram dates back several centuries and is believed to have flourished under the patronage of the Chola dynasty between the 9th and 13th centuries. The Chola rulers’ emphasis on art, architecture, and fine textiles played a significant role in elevating Kancheepuram silks to their present stature as a symbol of South India’s cultural legacy.
Ms. Sitharaman’s sartorial choice also comes at a politically significant moment, with several states—including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Puducherry, and Assam—scheduled to go to the polls in the coming months. While her attire is widely viewed as a personal expression of support for India’s diverse handloom traditions, it inevitably draws attention in the broader electoral context.
Over the years, the Finance Minister has consistently used the Budget day platform to spotlight traditional textiles from different parts of the country. In 2025, she wore a cream-coloured handloom silk saree with a golden border, paired with a red blouse. That saree, adorned with Madhubani motifs featuring fish, was gifted to her by Padma Shri awardee Dulari Devi, an artist from a Dalit fishing community.
Her earlier Budget appearances also reflect a rich tapestry of regional weaves. During her first Budget speech in 2019, she wore a pink Mangalgiri silk saree with gold borders. In 2020, she opted for a yellow silk saree with green-lined borders. The 2021 Budget saw her in a red and off-white Pochampally ikat saree from Telangana, followed by a brown and maroon Bomkai saree from Odisha in 2022.
In 2023, Ms. Sitharaman chose a red silk saree embellished with black Kasuti embroidery, a traditional craft from Karnataka. For the interim Budget in 2024, she wore a blue Tussar silk saree with Kantha embroidery from West Bengal, and later that year, for the full Union Budget, she appeared in a white silk saree featuring a magenta border with golden motifs.
Through these carefully chosen ensembles, the Finance Minister has consistently highlighted India’s rich textile diversity, turning the annual Budget presentation into not just a key economic event, but also a showcase of the country’s enduring handloom traditions.
