'People assume I do not know English': Sudha Murty reveals how women wearing sarees are not perceived as smart

Saree is one of the most common outfits worn by women in India. Yet, it is still seen as antithetical to the uppermost echelons of the corporate world. Many people still don’t visualise a woman clad in a saree when they think of a woman in a leadership position. In a recent interview with influencer Aisshwarya DKS Hegde, educator and philanthropist Sudha Murty explained why a saree doesn’t make you less capable.

In the viral video, Sudha explained that she wanted women to wear the saree and go to the boardroom. She said that she wanted to defy the notion that one has to wear a suit to be perceived as smart. She then revealed how many times people address her as “Behenji” and speak Hindi to her. “They tell, ‘Behenji, aap idhar baithiye. They assume that because I wear a saree, I do not know English.” She said her knowledge is independent of what she wore.

This is far from the only time a prominent female leader has spoken in favour of wearing a saree. In 2023, Edelweiss Mutual Fund CEO Radhika Gupta celebrated the achievements of women scientists at ISRO, recognising their contribution to the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3’s rover on the Moon.


She also challenged the stereotype that women wearing sarees are old-fashioned or lacking sophistication. A saree enthusiast herself, Gupta highlighted how women can lead major banks, build billion-dollar businesses, manage national finances, and achieve remarkable scientific milestones, proving that traditional attire and modern ambition can go hand in hand.

Women Leaders Love Sarees

In an interview with the Economic Times in 2015, veteran designer Rajesh Pratap Singh revealed that most women in corporate in India love wearing sarees. “A young, working lady may find wearing a saree difficult, but as they climb the ladder, most women CEOs prefer the nine-yard saree. They may opt for a Western outfit now and then, but eventually they come back to the good, old saree,” he said.

Disdain towards sarees is ultimately a sign of a colonial hangover. It is time for us to realise that a ‘nari in a saree’ can be sitting at the apex of a billion-dollar organisation.

Who Is Sudha Murty?

Sudha Murty is one of the most prominent educators, authors, and philanthropists in India. Murty is the founder-chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, a non-profit charitable organisation. She is married to N. R. Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys. Recognised for her contributions to social work and education, she was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, India’s Upper House of Parliament, on March 8, 2024. She is also the recipient of the Padma Shri.