The Gujarat government revealed a striking cover for the 2026-27 state budget, showcasing the tribal Goddess Kansari Devi in the traditional Warli art style. State Finance Minister Kanu Desai approved the unique budget cover, ahead of presenting the state budget for the fifth consecutive year.
Kansari Devi holds significance among tribal communities in Gujarat as a Goddess of prosperity, traditionally worshipped during weddings, harvests, and auspicious household events. The state government highlighted her role as a symbol of abundance, wealth, and happiness, akin to Mother Annapurna for tribal people.
Warli art, originating from the Warli community in South Gujarat’s Valsad district and neighboring Thane district in Maharashtra, has a history of around 1,200 years. This art form is characterized by white patterns made using a paste of rice flour and water, traditionally crafted by women on walls.
The paintings typically portray daily life, community celebrations, agricultural activities, rituals, and nature, featuring motifs like dancing figures, women at work, herdsmen, and scenes of worship and festivals. The art also includes depictions of animals, deities such as Nagadev, Panchora Dev, Indra Dev, Wagh Dev, and Kansari Devi.
In addition to the white rice paste, natural pigments like vermilion, red, black, honey, and charcoal are used to accentuate details in Warli art. Geometric shapes such as triangles, circles, and squares, along with lines, are commonly used to structure the designs.
Despite facing challenges due to modernization and changes in tribal life, Warli art is being showcased on the budget cover to preserve this traditional art form and maintain its visibility in public culture, according to an official statement.
The Warli artwork featured on this year’s budget cover was crafted by Bina Hasmukh Patel, who has been contributing to Gujarat’s budget documents for the past four years. By portraying Kansari Devi in Warli art, the state has successfully intertwined cultural heritage with official documentation, highlighting tribal tradition and artistic continuity in Gujarat’s fiscal presentation.
