Gill, Indar Singh

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.

Family photograph taken of the Gill family. Top row, left to right: Pal Singh Gill, Ganga Singh Gill, and Indar Singh Gill. In the second row, left to right: Naranjan Singh Gill, Phangan Singh, and Indar Singh (Bhagwant Kaur's husband). In the bottom row, left to right: an unidentified young boy, and an unidentified young girl, Bhagwant Kaur Gill, who is holding a baby on her lap in the middle. Her head is covered with a chunni. On Bhagwant Kaur's left, Kuldip Kaur, her daughter, sits beside her. The older Gill men are wearing formal suits, and three Gill men have their heads covered by a turban.

Audio recording of Nash Gill being interviewed by Rishi for the Canadian Sikh Heritage project. He was interviewed about his family's journey from India to Canada, where the interview primarily talked about his father, Indar Singh Gill. The interview revealed why the Gill family came to Canada, how Indar Singh earned money in Canada, and the Gill family's legacy in British Columbia.

This is a document of Indar Singh's biography, where the information was given by his son, Nash Gill. The biography begins with a 17-year-old Indar Singh leaving India for Canada in 1930, while his wife and daughter were left behind. Because of the 1930s depression, Indar Singh had difficulty finding work but eventually did in Kamloops. Indar Singh worked as a sawmill worker and eventually became a business owner during his time in Canada. He was separated from his wife, Kartar Kaur, for 17 years before he was able to bring her and their newborn son to Canada; the couple had two additional daughters later.

This is a document of Indar Singh's biography, where the information was given by his son, Nash Gill. The biography begins with a 17-year-old Indar Singh leaving India for Canada in 1930, while his wife and daughter were left behind. Because of the 1930s depression, Indar Singh had difficulty finding work but eventually did in Kamloops. Indar Singh worked as a sawmill worker and eventually became a business owner during his time in Canada. He was separated from his wife, Kartar Kaur, for 17 years before he was able to bring her and their newborn son to Canada; the couple had two additional daughters later.

This is a document of Indar Singh's biography, where the information was given by his son, Nash Gill. The biography begins with a 17-year-old Indar Singh leaving India for Canada in 1930, while his wife and daughter were left behind. Because of the 1930s depression, Indar Singh had difficulty finding work but eventually did in Kamloops. Indar Singh worked as a sawmill worker and eventually became a business owner during his time in Canada. He was separated from his wife, Kartar Kaur, for 17 years before he was able to bring her and their newborn son to Canada; the couple had two additional daughters later.

This is a document about Indar Singh Gill's immigration journey told by his son, Nash Singh Gill. It explans why Indar Singh immigrated to Canada in 1930 at 17-years-old, while leaving behind his wife and young daughter. He was sponsored by Naranjan Singh Gill (Indar Singh's uncle), who was already in Canada. Because of the 1930s depression, Indar Singh found it hard to find work, but eventually found work in Kamloops for Sher Singh Aluwalia. After, he worked for sawmills on Vancouver Island. He spent a portion of his wages back to his family. Eventually, in 1949, his wife, Kartar Kaur, and son, Nachhattar (Nash) Singh Gill, travelled to Canada. Later the document talks about how he started his own business, Indar Fuel Company. Indar Singh became involved with other businesses and served as the President of the old Sikh temple in Abbotsford.

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, possibly after 1942, from Punjab to Canada. Indar Singh had been in Canada since 1930. Kartar Kaur writes about how her separation from Indar Singh and their daughter, Gurcharan Kaur's death, devastates her. Further in the letter, Kartar Kaur writes about how her uncles always ask her for money, which she cannot give them. She explains how money has made her life difficult. Later, Kartar Kaur explains how she feels isolated as people taunt her about her sad circumstances and feels forgotten by Indar Singh. Finally, she states that Joginder Singh, Indar Singh's brother, must have told him about the household's circumstances.

Kartar Kaur is writing to her husband, Indar Singh, from Punjab to Canada possibly in 1942. Indar Singh had been in Canada since 1930. Kartar Kaur writes about Indar Singh always giving her false hope about returning home (India) after 12 years. Further, Kartar Kaur writes about how it has been four years since their daughter, Gurcharan Kaur's death and how it still weakens her. Lastly, Kartar Kaur speaks about how the household members took all the money Indar Singh had sent and she had been left with nothing.