Atwal, Hardial Singh

Photo of Hardial Singh Atwal standing outside with four unidentified men, enjoying a drink. Hardial is standing in the middle wearing a suit, with two men on his left and two on right.

Transcription of an interview with Rattan Kaur Atwal. Rattan Kaur first came to Canada from the village of Langaree Sangha, district Hoshiarpur in 1952 to join her husband Hardial Singh Atwal. Hardial Singh was the first Sikh born in Canada. The couple was married on June 15, 1936. Hardial Singh sponsored his family in 1952, and by that time he was settled on Vancouver island. Rattan Kaur Atwal and her three sons arrived in Vancouver on July 12, 1952. In the interview Rattan Kaur speaks about her experience immigrating to Canada, what it was like living in Paldi, as well as the history of her husband's family.

Narrative of an interview with Rattan Kaur Atwal. Rattan Kaur was married to Hardial Singh Atwal, the first Canadian-born Sikh, in 1936. She first arrived in Canada in 1952 to join her husband. Hardial Singh worked in Mayo Singh's mill, Mayo Lumber in Paldi. In the interview Rattan Kaur speaks about her in-laws, including her father-in-law, Balwant Singh Atwal and mother-in-law, Kartar Kaur.

Photograph of Hardial Singh Atwal wearing a black suit and a white shirt, with a green tie. He is also wearing a dark patterned turban. https://canadiansikhheritage.ca/2017/10/31/rattan-kaur-atwal/

This is a group picture of Atwal family which include (from the left in back) Harninder Singh in light green suit, Mahinder Singh in dark green suit, Harjinder Singh in light brown suit, Hardial Singh in black suit and a multi-coloured turban. In the front from left: Mrs. Rattan Kaur is sitting in a simple plain turquoise colored suit, Davinder in dark green and white dress with a colorful scarf, Kuljeet in a tan dress, Rajinder in light brown punjabi suit.

Group photograph of the Atwal family. Balwant Singh and Kartar Kaur are seated on chairs. Their two young children, Naranjan Kaur and Hardial Singh, are seated in their parents laps, while the third and eldest daughter, Udham Kaur, is standing in the middle. All three children are dressed in light-colored clothes, whereas Hardial Singh and Kartar Kaur are wearing dark-colored clothes with a white turban and white chunni respectively.

Photo of Hardial Singh Atwal and Rattan Kaur Atwal on their 50th anniversary celebration. https://canadiansikhheritage.ca/2017/10/31/rattan-kaur-atwal/

Photo of Hardial Singh Atwal, showing a close up and profile view of his face. He is wearing a black turban and a cream-colored shirt, looking sideways towards the right. https://canadiansikhheritage.ca/2017/10/31/rattan-kaur-atwal/

Creator: Soni, Kusum

Interview with Mohinder Singh Atwal conducted by Dr. Kusum Soni.

Handwritten letter addressed to Hardial Singh Atwal from Harlians[?] K. Gill.