Mithila's connection to the Indian Budget presented today !!

There was so much buzz as Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled her eighth consecutive Union Budget today.  The income tax rebates she announced have been the biggest talking point. Schemes for the MSME sector, women, farmers, the education sector, for boosting exports, etc. have also been announced.  The FM also announced a slate of regulatory reforms, including a High level committee to evaluate regulatory  reforms and an Investment Friendliness Index.

 

Elsewhere, Devi lives in the village of Ranti, in the State of Bihar, in India,  married at the age of thirteen, but returned to live with her family at the age of eighteen, after the death of her child. She did not receive any formal education,  -  what would have been a tragic life, turned out to be one of honour due to her grit, skills and the rightful recognition. She is also in news today !!

 

Dulari Devi (born 1968) is an Indian artist and illustrator, working in the Mithila art tradition. In 2021, she was a recipient of the Padma Shri, a civilian honour of  the Government of India, for her contributions to art. 

The Kingdom of the Videhas (also Mithila / Tirabhukti) was an ancient Indian kingdom in Late Vedic India which rose to prominence under King Janaka. Yes it was the place of Seethadevi consort of Lord Rama.  The ancient kingdom was located on the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, in what is today north-eastern Bihar of India and the eastern Terai of Nepal.  Mithila, the cultural region is  bounded by the Mahananda River, the holy Ganges, the Gandaki and the foothills of Himalayas.  The native language in Mithila is Maithili, and its speakers are referred to as Maithils.  The later day Mithila would comprise of  Tirhut, Darbhanga, Kosi, Purnia, Munger, Bhagalpur and SanthalPargana divisions[a] of India and some adjoining districts of Nepal.  The region is known for its special type of painting ‘mithila or madhubani painting’.

 

Madhubani art (also known as Mithila art) is a style of painting practiced in the Mithila region of India and Nepal. It is named after the Madhubani district of Bihar, India, which is where it originated.  Jitwarpur, Ranti and Rasidpur are the three most notable cities associated with the tradition and evolution of Madhubani art.   Madhubani artists, mostly  female,  create these paintings using a variety of mediums, including their own fingers, or twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks. The paint is created using natural dyes and pigments such as ochre and lampblack are used for reddish brown and black respectively.  The paintings are characterized by their eye-catching geometrical patterns. There is ritual content for particular occasions, such as birth or marriage,  and festivals, such as Holi, Surya Shasti, Kali Puja, Upanayana, and Durga Puja. 

The paintings were traditionally done on freshly plastered mud walls and floors of huts, but now they are also done on cloth, handmade paper and canvas. Mithila paintings mostly depict people and their association with nature and scenes and deities from the ancient epics. Natural objects like the sun, the moon, and religious plants like tulsi are also widely painted. 

On the occasion of her historic eighth consecutive Union Budget presentation, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived at Parliament donning a stunning saree that paid homage to India's rich cultural heritage. The off-white handloom silk saree, adorned with intricate Madhubani artwork, was a special gift from renowned artist and Padma Shri awardee Dulari Devi. The saree not only symbolized the timeless beauty of Madhubani art but also spotlighted the artistry and craftsmanship of Bihar’s Mithila region.

 

Dulari Devi met Nirmala Sitharaman during a credit outreach program at the Mithila Art Institute in Madhubani, where they discussed the importance of preserving Madhubani art and supporting its artisans. As a token of appreciation, Devi gifted the hand-painted saree to Sitharaman, urging her to wear it for the Budget Day. Sitharaman, known for using her attire to reflect India's diverse cultural fabric, embraced the gift, choosing it to make a strong statement on the national stage. 

Interesting !

Regards – S Sampathkumar
1.2.2025