Brewing Knowledge with Neha Negi, author of When Birds Talk
Reading When Birds Talked was deeply nostalgic for me. Growing up in the mountains, birds were always part of my life. This book brought those memories back while also helping me learn about new birds, distant lands, and cultures through its beautiful illustrations and gentle poems.
Fridays at EBD, online meeting with Neha Negi is less about conventionality and more about observation. We'll begin with introductions, talk about the book, and move into light, reflective activities—writing a few instinctive words, noticing everyday objects or non-human beings, and reflecting on why we often stop observing the world around us.
If you'd like to be part of thoughtful conversations, scan the QR code above to join us in the WhatsApp group.
🖇 Join us on Fridays at 5:30 PM on Zoom.
Sometimes, all it takes is slowing down to listen.
When Birds Talked: Folklore of the Hills | Illustrated Himalayan Folk Tales of Birds & Nature | Uttarakhand Legends Filled With Myth, Magic & Transformation by Neha Negi
ABOUT THE BOOK
Discover the enchanting bird legends of the Himalayas―stories that soar beyond time.
When Birds Talked by Neha Negi is a lyrical and beautifully illustrated collection of folklore that reimagines the myths of Himalayan birds. Drawing on Uttarakhand’s rich oral traditions, these tales trace the origins of birds such as the Himalayan Monal, Fire-capped Tit, Spotted Forktail and many others―bringing alive stories of transformation, longing and resilience.
Through dramatic storytelling and hand-painted illustrations, Negi creates an enchanting tapestry that connects mythology, ecology, and human imagination. At its heart, the book is an ode to the deep bonds between people and nature, a celebration of vanishing traditions, and a call to protect the fragile ecosystems of the Himalayas.
Blending myth, art and reflections on the environment, When Birds Talked is as much a preservation of cultural heritage as it is a modern eco-fable for readers of all ages.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neha Negi is an artist, writer, and storyteller whose work bridges folklore, ecology, and visual art. Born and raised in the Himalayas, she draws inspiration from the oral traditions, bird myths, and natural landscapes of Uttarakhand. Through words and illustrations, she seeks to preserve fading cultural narratives while highlighting the deep connection between people, birds, and the environment. Before the Bird is her debut collection that reimagines bird folklore through vivid storytelling and art.
Reading from the book What Did You Ask At School Today by Kamala Mukunda, and discussing student motivation and classroom environments from a psychology perspective #BrewingKnowledge
Key Takeaways
Three Classroom Models: Classrooms are competitive (emphasising peer competition and fear of failure), cooperative (emphasising group work and moral responsibility), or individualistic (emphasising self-mastery and personal improvement).
Autonomy-Supportive Teaching: This style fosters intrinsic motivation by employing questions and hints rather than commands. Comparing students, intended as a form of motivation, was found to be a subtle form of control.
Mastery vs. Performance: A mastery orientation (focus on learning) builds resilience by attributing failure to effort. A performance orientation (focus on grades) creates a fear of failure and discourages risk-taking.
Motivation Cycle: Motivation can follow action. Forcing an action that yields positive results can create the initial motivation needed to build a habit.
Topics
Classroom Environments & Motivation
Three classroom models drive student motivation differently:
Competitive: Focus on peers → fear of failure → avoidance of challenging tasks.
Cooperative: Focus on group → moral responsibility → peer encouragement.
Individualistic: Focus on self-mastery → personal improvement.
The teacher's philosophy and school culture determine the environment.
Personal Reflection: Jugjiv Singh noted a competitive drive for subjects he enjoyed (e.g., math) but disengagement from other subjects, suggesting that interest and environment are intertwined.
A case study on a disengaged student, Sarah, revealed teacher styles:
Controlling: Commands or moderately controlling persuasion.
Research Findings (Reeve): Autonomy-supportive teachers (vs. controlling ones):
Listened more; held materials less.
Gave hints, not solutions.
Asked questions ("Which pattern?") vs. commands ("Flip it over").
Peer Comparison as Control: Research shows that using peer comparison to motivate students constitutes a subtle form of control rather than autonomy support.
Rationale: Minakshi Prasad explained that comparison often creates anxiety and helplessness rather than motivation.
Mastery vs. Performance Orientation
Two distinct learning orientations:
Mastery: Focus on learning and improvement.
Assumption: "I can if I try."
Outcome: Failure attributed to effort → builds resilience.
Performance: Focus on grades and outdoing peers.
Assumption: Focus on ability.
Outcome: Fear of failure → discourages risk-taking.
Feedback & Community Direction
Teacher Autonomy: Teachers require an autonomy-supportive context to foster their students' autonomy.
Rationale: Quality cannot be enforced externally; it requires intrinsic motivation.
Community Feedback:
Minakshi Prasad: Suggested recording sessions for teachers who miss them.
Jugjiv Singh: Recommended focusing on the core objective of improving teaching, questioning the fit of recent author meet-and-greets.
"Brewing Knowledge" truly embodies the spirit of community by highlighting the significance of literature and authors. It transcends the role of a mere newsletter, becoming a nurturing environment that promotes lifelong learning and personal development. We sincerely appreciate your unwavering commitment to sharing knowledge and fostering such a supportive atmosphere. Let us unite to celebrate "Brewing Knowledge" and empower others by sharing valuable insights. We are pleased to announce the brand's new look, now prominently displayed at The English Book Depot in Dehradun. The brand signifies its dedication to fostering the joy of reading in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
