Long-distance relationships

This document is about Kuldip Gill's first poetry collection called Dharma Rasa, where there is an analysis of select poems about her parents, Bhagwant Kaur (1914-1980) and Indar Singh (1901-1969). First, Kuldip's "Love letters-Canada to India" depicts Indar Singh's painful separation from his family in the 1930s while he was in Canada and his family was in India. Second, Kuldip's poem "Oud ja Kaliya Kauva (Fly away black crow)" narrates Bhagwant Kaur's loneliness living without her husband with her in-laws. Third, Kuldip's poem "My Eyes Hurt When You're Not Here" shows Indar Singh haunted by memories of his wife, while working in Canada alone. Fourth, "The Dream Train," where Kuldip writes about her parents meeting in the dreamland to escape their separation. The document continues with depictions of "Love Song," "Kildeer's dance," "Samaran," and many others.

Kartar Kaur is writing to her husband, Indar Singh, possibly in 1946, from Punjab to Canada after WWII. Indar Singh had been in Canada since 1930. Kartar Kaur writes about how the community taunts her about having no sons and her 20-year separation from her husband. Kartar Kaur expresses anger towards Indar Singh in this letter. She writes that Indar Singh is treating his family like dirt, and he only cares about his money. Further in the letter, Kartar Kaur states that the separation has been painful for her and that she needs her husband in her life. Kartar Kaur wants Indar Singh to give exact information about when he plans to return to India. Later, she laments why he punished her to his family's household while Indar Singh is enjoying his Canadian life.

Kartar Kaur is writing to her husband, Indar Singh, on November 16, 1939, from Punjab to Canada. Indar Singh had been in Canada since 1930. Kartar Kaur writes about her longing for her husband and hopes to reunite with him soon. Kartar Kaur explains how she has not been happy for a long time since their daughter's death. Also, Kartar Kaur tells her husband she received his letter on November 4, 1939, which made her very happy.

Document is a letter written by Kartar Kaur. Kartar Kaur wrote to her husband, Indar Singh, on July 14, 1937, from Punjab, India. Indar Singh had been in Canada since 1930. In the letter, Kartar Kaur begins by expressing her pleasure that Indar Singh wrote to her, which eased her pain. However, Kartar Kaur is heartbroken that she has been separated from her husband for seven years; she talks about missing Indar Singh and requests he send her a photograph of him. Also, Kartar Kaur speaks about their daughter, Gurcharan Kaur, starting school and receiving money from Indar Singh.

Handwritten poem by Kartar Kaur expressing emotions of pain towards her love. She uses the metaphor of crossing a river on an old boat as a non-swimmer, unable to see the other shore, to describe her feelings and struggles.

Highlights from Kartar's letters compiled and copied by Atma Singh Rai. Kartar Kaur frequently wrote letters from India to her husband, Atma Singh, who lived and worked as a sawmill worker in Hillcrest, Vancouver Island in Canada. She expressed her hopes, fears, and longings in poetic verses along with occassional news. Additionally, she would write about daily events and tasks that she did or planned to do.