Heritage craft has been introduced as an elective subject in 2008 and these would be the first textbook on the subject. The subject will consist of three components in each year (classes XI and XII) -- theory 40 marks, field study 30 marks and applied crafts 30 marks. Titled as `Living Craft Traditions of India', the book on field crafts, which is for the practicals is common for both classes XI and XII. It is under production, along with the theory book for class XII.

According to sources from NCERT, the focus of the book is on different craft traditions against their socio-economic backdrop. ``We have included different crafts like clay, stone, metal, natural fibre, jewellery, textiles, paintings, theatre and paper crafts,'' said the faculty.

Times City got the first look at the textbooks. The highlight of the books has been that the content has been developed through various workshops held on craft traditions. Every chapter has a different focus based on six themes such as philosophy and aesthetics; materials, processes and techniques; environment and resource management; social structures; economy and marketing; and international examples. Each craft is related to one of the focus areas such as the bamboo craft of north-east to that of international examples. Moreover, replete with illustration and pictures each chapter has at least four to five illustrations and pictures.

Another highlight of the book is the timeline in every chapter, which illustrates, for example, the craft of clay and its use right from the days of Indus Valley civilization to the contemporary days; or for that matter the wall paintings from the time of Bhimbetika to the present. Almost all chapters have a map depicting the place from where the craft flourished.

There is also a section on the process which explains the manufacturing process like the mask of Chhau from West Bengal and Jharkhand or paper mache of Kashmir or Meenakari of Jaipur and Lucknow.