Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep.
00:00:00 – 00:05:26
Gurvinder “Gurv” Sihra and brother Harvinder “Harv’ Sihra introduce themselves, providing details on …
Interviewer: Rajdeep
Interviewees: "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra
Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum
Interview Date: July 8, 2023
Total Number of tracks: 2
Total Length of all Tracks: 01:02:03 min
Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Photograph credit: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep.
00:00:00 – 00:05:26
Gurvinder “Gurv” Sihra and brother Harvinder “Harv’ Sihra introduce themselves, providing details on where they were born and grew up (in Burnaby), names of their parents and provide details on their family history. They describe how their grandparents and other relatives continued to live in Punjab after their father and mother immigrated to Canada in the 1970’s, recall the reasons their parents decided to immigrate and details of their lives before and after arriving in Canada.
00:05:27 – 00:06:46
Gurvinder and Harvinder describe some of their experiences travelling through Vancouver airport and compare their experiences with their mother’s own experiences. Gurvinder and Harvinder describe the layout of the airport and how customs and immigration has changed over time.
00:06:47 – 00:09:21
Gurvinder and Harvinder provide details about their mother, Parveen Sihra. They share information regarding her education in India and how she was unable to get work related to her degree in biology after immigrating to Canada. They convey how she worked in the Burnaby City Hall cafeteria in the 1990’s and how she worked part time in order to take care of her children. They share how their parents were proud Canadians participating in events inside and outside the South Asian community and were both fluent in English but often spoke Punjabi at home.
00:09:22 – 00:16:06
Gurvinder and Harvinder recall their childhood experiences growing up in Burnaby. They talk about the sports that they were involved with including hockey and Taekwondo, family vacations spent travelling to India and their experiences attending Marlborough Elementary School and Moscrop Secondary School.They describe how they first became interested in watching wrestling and trying it out on their own in their family home. Gurvinder and Harvinder recall their own experiences of discrimination while growing up and playing sports.
00:16:07 – 00:27:37
Gurvinder and Harvinder reflect and recall events that lead them to their dream of becoming professional wrestlers. They talk about pivotal events including attending their first live wresting event at GM Place with their father in 1996, beginning their training in Calgary in 2004, travelling across the country to participate in minor wrestling events, wrestling in Rogers Arena in 2017 and 2020 and getting their first call to join WWE. They talk about the support that they’ve had along the way to getting them where they are today and comment on why they want to be wrestlers in the WWE.
00:27:38 – 00:29:25
Gurvinder and Harvinder provide background information on their various wrestling personas and names in the world of professional wrestling including the Singh Brothers and the Bollywood Boyz.
00:29:26 – 00:38:43
Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about their experiences wrestling in India and the support and expectations of family members in becoming successful. Gurvinder and Harvinder recall and reflect on the experience of being fired from the WWE when cutbacks were made during the COVID pandemic.
00:38:44 – 00:42:53
Gurvinder and Harvinder describe what a day in their lives looks like now. They talk about how they’re still very passionate and focused on their wrestling careers and describe their experiences of having support and enthusiasm from fans and their parents. They talk about travelling across the country to particpate in different wrestling events.
00:42:54 – 00:47:18
Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about their training regimen including exercise and diet and describe areas in Burnaby where they like to train in gyms and the outdoors.
00:47:19 – 00:49:49
Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about neighbourhoods in Burnaby including Metrotown and Deer Lake and how they’ve seen them change over the years.
00:49:50 – 00:54:27
Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about their highest and lowest points in their wrestling careers, highlighting specific events. They talk about the physical stamina it takes for wrestling and compare their sport with the sport of Kabaddi (a contact team sport between two teams originating in India).
00:54:28 – 00:59:01
Gurvinder and Harvinder reflect on what toughness means to them, and what keeps them motivated to do what they do.
00:59:02 – 01:01:31
Gurvinder and Harvinder impart their words of wisdom to younger kids in chasing their passions and dreams and talk about their favourite Bollywood films and actors.
History
Interviewees' biographies:
The Bollywood Boyz are a Canadian professional wrestling tag team composed of brothers Gurvinder "Gurv" Sihra (born in 1984) and Harvinder "Harv" Sihra (born in 1987). The pair are best known for their time in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) where Gurvinder and Harvinder performed under the ring names Sunil Singh and Samir Singh. They were both born and raised in Burnaby by their parents Harjeet and Parveen Sihra and attended Moscrop Secondary School. Gurvinder graduated from Douglas College where he studied criminology and has worked in loss prevention and has a third degree black belt in Taekwondo. Harvinder attended Douglas College with studies in history and has worked as a model and an actor. Both Gurvinder and Harvinder Sihra are Sikhs.
Interviewer biography:
Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
Item is a photographic postcard of a class from East Burnaby School (Edmonds Street School) taken outside the school building. There are nineteen boys and seventeen girls sitting and standing in three rows, with their teacher standing in the centre at the back. Six of the boys seated at the front…
Item is a photographic postcard of a class from East Burnaby School (Edmonds Street School) taken outside the school building. There are nineteen boys and seventeen girls sitting and standing in three rows, with their teacher standing in the centre at the back. Six of the boys seated at the front are holding lacrosse sticks. Female student on far left of back row is identified as either Ethel or Stella Buskins.
Photograph of the Burnaby South Highschool basketball team. Members of the team are gathered around a basketball net in the school gymnasium. Team manager, Lavergne "Vern" Hurley is standing in the back row (left) next to coach, Terry Julian (right). Basketball players are identified as: Ken Swalwe…
Photograph of the Burnaby South Highschool basketball team. Members of the team are gathered around a basketball net in the school gymnasium. Team manager, Lavergne "Vern" Hurley is standing in the back row (left) next to coach, Terry Julian (right). Basketball players are identified as: Ken Swalwell (#35- holding basketball); Bill Popowich (#10-third from right); David Cordis (#8-fourth from right) and Fred Forshaw (far right), other players are unidentified. The photograph has been taken from above the basketball court.
Photograph of Burnaby South Highschool Junior Boys English Rugby Team. Players identified in the back row include (left to right): Alan Scott, Dave Amundsen, ?, Ernie Stevens, ?. Players identified in the middle row include: Stan Bishop (far left) and Lavergne "Vern" Hurley (center).
Photograph of Burnaby South Highschool Junior Boys English Rugby Team. Players identified in the back row include (left to right): Alan Scott, Dave Amundsen, ?, Ernie Stevens, ?. Players identified in the middle row include: Stan Bishop (far left) and Lavergne "Vern" Hurley (center).
Photograph of Barnet School elementary class, 1941-1942. The group of students are arranged outside in three rows with trees behind them. Students are identified from left to right as; front row: Kenny Marshall, unknown, Lakhbeer Siddoo, Gurdeb Siddoo, Bobby Karppinen, unknown, Hardev Siddoo; middl…
Photograph of Barnet School elementary class, 1941-1942. The group of students are arranged outside in three rows with trees behind them. Students are identified from left to right as; front row: Kenny Marshall, unknown, Lakhbeer Siddoo, Gurdeb Siddoo, Bobby Karppinen, unknown, Hardev Siddoo; middle row: Moyra Foort, Rose Johnston, Doreen Karppinen, Deirdre Davidson, Freda Hall, Joan Lynch, Sheila Carey, Catherine La Favor, Beatrice Woolsey and Goglin; back row: Bobby Goglin, Jackie Marshall, Ken Murray, Gurmeet Gurdell, Florence La Favor, Diljeet Teja, Colin Simmons, Ronny Johnson.
see page 235 in the book "In the Shadow by the Sea - recollections of Burnaby's Barnet Village". Caption with photograph reads: "Barnet School / Class 1941-1942 / Back Row:..."
1 photograph : b&w ; 36.5 x 58.5 cm mounted on board 76 x 101.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of graduates of North Burnaby High School in 1954 with all names of graduates scripted on mounting board by E.Skrypec. Row 1: L. Fox, S. Johnson, R. Larson, B. Milaney, J. Watson, D. Spring, G. Calder, J. Forester, A. Nash, J. McGiveron, M. Meikle, T. Brooks, J. Meikle, S. Hill, B. Bil…
1 photograph : b&w ; 36.5 x 58.5 cm mounted on board 76 x 101.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of graduates of North Burnaby High School in 1954 with all names of graduates scripted on mounting board by E.Skrypec. Row 1: L. Fox, S. Johnson, R. Larson, B. Milaney, J. Watson, D. Spring, G. Calder, J. Forester, A. Nash, J. McGiveron, M. Meikle, T. Brooks, J. Meikle, S. Hill, B. Bilson, F. Stewart, M. Slavin, H. Trayling, B. Bourne, M. Mothe, M. Bazylevich, S. Yorston, E. Underwood, S. Sandberg, A. Craig, A. Holzman, M. Cranston, W. Pendygrasse and L. Holland. Row 2: S. Willimas, S. Anderson, G. Burgess, I. Radill, J. Jopling, J. Wong, K. McNicol, D. Gallie, W. Brigden, I. Frank, J. Elliott, P. Wooldard, D. Drummond, E. Murray, K. Nelson, B. Smith, J. Purser, D. Lister, N. Husband, A. Ryder and G. Olafson. Row 3: B. Beaumont, W. Judyski, B. Chamberland, R. Dyck, H. Lunow, R. Morris, N. Trtan, S. Gill, K. Elliott, D. Demchuk, D. Wilson, H. Philbrook, D. Connorton, D. Panton, G. Monk, G. Kubicek, J. Christian, H. Pendygrasse, D. Norman and H. Peterson. Row 4: C. Allen, J. MacDonald, H. Siddoo, G. Boyd, G. Norgard, P. Iannucci, R. McDonnell, B. Mills, R. Ostby, K. Bennett, F. McAuley, G. Topham, G. Clapp, H. Rink, T. Scuffi, B. Dolman, L. Armstrong, W. Cross, E. Matiash and B. Miles. Row 5: V. Cinnamon, T. Saunders, E. Skrypec, S. Bonettemaker, G. Barr, W. Greba, B. Asleson, B. Launder, F. Punko, J. Maxwell, J. McTaggart, D. Allen, W. Plevy, J. Bailey and R. Zacharias.
Photograph students at Barnet School. Students are gathered together on the school grounds and are identified from left to right; back row: Algot Peters, June Marshall, Fred Peters and Frank McDonald; middle row: Hugh Carey, Edith Bedore, Cecilia McDonald, Louise Irwin, Ella Neimi, Irene La Favor;…
Photograph students at Barnet School. Students are gathered together on the school grounds and are identified from left to right; back row: Algot Peters, June Marshall, Fred Peters and Frank McDonald; middle row: Hugh Carey, Edith Bedore, Cecilia McDonald, Louise Irwin, Ella Neimi, Irene La Favor; front row: Jimmy Bedore, Billy Woytowicz, Tommy Keys, Clyde La Favor, Dallas La Favor and Jack Kask.
see page 234, Chapter Three in the book "In the Shadow by the Sea - Recollections of Burnaby's Barnet Village". Caption with photograph reads: "Barnet School / Class 1936-1937 / BACK ROW: Algot Peters, June / Marshall, Fred Peters: Frank / McDonald"
Photograph students at Barnet School. Students are gathered together on wooden bleechers on the school grounds and are identified from left to right; back row: Jack Hood; Fred Proteau, Bob Johnston, John Stelioff, Billy Warner and Neil Carey; third row from bottom: Lloyd Lendgren, Joan Rutherford,…
Photograph students at Barnet School. Students are gathered together on wooden bleechers on the school grounds and are identified from left to right; back row: Jack Hood; Fred Proteau, Bob Johnston, John Stelioff, Billy Warner and Neil Carey; third row from bottom: Lloyd Lendgren, Joan Rutherford, Kathleen Cole, Patricia Longley, Annie Strelioff, Marie Galbraith and Billy Rutherford; second row from bottom: Jean Wallace, Eva Grace Hood, Kerthq's cousin, Kerthq, Maureen Johnston, Marie Swanson, Eleanor Irwin; front row at bottom: John Taranoff, John Jacobsen, Lewis La Favor, Jack Rutherford, Andrew Strelioff and Sheldon Rowell.
Names of students taken from verso of photograph -see photograph BV019.32.47
see page 234, Chapter Three in the book "In the Shadow by the Sea - Recollections of Burnaby's Barnet Village". Caption with photograph reads: "Barnet School / Class 1931-1932 / BACK ROW: Harding Yasui, Jack Hood, Fred Proteau, Bob Johnston, John Strelioff, Billy Warner, Neil Carey / THIRD ROW: ..."
Photograph of the first class at Kitchener Street School. The students' ages vary, with few adults mixed in the group. They form six rows on the front steps of the school building. Dolly Knight is identified in the front row, first on left, her sister Margaret Norton (nee Knight) is in the front ro…
Photograph of the first class at Kitchener Street School. The students' ages vary, with few adults mixed in the group. They form six rows on the front steps of the school building. Dolly Knight is identified in the front row, first on left, her sister Margaret Norton (nee Knight) is in the front row, third from left and Margaret's twin brother Fred Knight is in the second row from the top.
Photograph of students from Port Moody High School. Students are arranged in seven rows. Ina (Stanley) Shankie is identified standing in the second row, second from right.
Photograph of students from Port Moody High School. Students are arranged in seven rows. Ina (Stanley) Shankie is identified standing in the second row, second from right.
Photograph of group of students at Port Moody school. Frank Stanley is identified standing in the back row, third from right. The students are posing together in four rows outside of school.
Photograph of group of students at Port Moody school. Frank Stanley is identified standing in the back row, third from right. The students are posing together in four rows outside of school.
Photograph of students from grades 5 and 6, division 1 of Port Moody School. Frank Stanley is identified standing on the far right in back row. The students are posing together in five rows with teacher in second row outside of school.
Photograph of students from grades 5 and 6, division 1 of Port Moody School. Frank Stanley is identified standing on the far right in back row. The students are posing together in five rows with teacher in second row outside of school.
Photograph of a group of Chinese Canadian students standing on the stairs of the Chinese School in New Westminster. Frank and Emma Wong (members of the Quinn Wong family) are identified standing in the bottom left corner of the photograph and elder sister, Jessie Wong is identified standing in the …
Photograph of a group of Chinese Canadian students standing on the stairs of the Chinese School in New Westminster. Frank and Emma Wong (members of the Quinn Wong family) are identified standing in the bottom left corner of the photograph and elder sister, Jessie Wong is identified standing in the middle of the photograph. Members of the Kong family of Fraser Mills also appear in the photograph including Alice, Dorothy and Lea Kong along with members of the New Westminster Quan family. The front porch is decorated with bunting and includes a sign that reads "The Chinese Benevolent Association" along with a British flag and a flag of the Republic of China.
Photograph of a group of students seated on the steps of a school (could be East Burnaby Public School - later named Edmonds Community School). The teacher is standing at the doors at the top of the stairs.
Photograph of a group of students seated on the steps of a school (could be East Burnaby Public School - later named Edmonds Community School). The teacher is standing at the doors at the top of the stairs.
1 photograph : b&w with col. annotations ; 28.5 x 35.5 cm mounted on cardboard
Scope and Content
Photograph of students seated in desks inside the classroom of Windsor Street School in Burnaby. Student, Mona McPherson is identified seated at the back of the far right row of desks. Photograph was taken to demonstrate the overcrowding in school classrooms.
1 photograph : b&w with col. annotations ; 28.5 x 35.5 cm mounted on cardboard
Material Details
black and red arrow drawn in ink at bottom centre of photograph
Scope and Content
Photograph of students seated in desks inside the classroom of Windsor Street School in Burnaby. Student, Mona McPherson is identified seated at the back of the far right row of desks. Photograph was taken to demonstrate the overcrowding in school classrooms.
Photograph of the First Division class for 1907 at West Burnaby School (later renamed Kingsway West School). There are two rows of students standing and one row of seated students. there is a male teacher standing on the left side of the group just beside a bicycle that is leaning against the build…
Handwritten in the photograph is "1st Div 1907 / West Burnaby School". The reverse side of the photograph is printed in a postcard format.
Scope and Content
Photograph of the First Division class for 1907 at West Burnaby School (later renamed Kingsway West School). There are two rows of students standing and one row of seated students. there is a male teacher standing on the left side of the group just beside a bicycle that is leaning against the building.
"100 Years of Gilmore School". Filmed by Yunuen Perez Vertti and made by the Heights Neighbourhood Association. The film includes interviews with former students and highlights their experiences through the Great Depression, the Second World War and the 1960s.
"100 Years of Gilmore School". Filmed by Yunuen Perez Vertti and made by the Heights Neighbourhood Association. The film includes interviews with former students and highlights their experiences through the Great Depression, the Second World War and the 1960s.
History
Yunuen Perez Vertti is a filmmaker and digital media artist originally from Mexico City. She has produced films for many public, private and non-profit organizations.
Photograph of the grade nine class of Burnaby North High School arranged in rows and standing in front of the entrance to the school. Walter "Wally" Westerman is identified on the far left, standing in the fourth row from the bottom.
Photograph of the grade nine class of Burnaby North High School arranged in rows and standing in front of the entrance to the school. Walter "Wally" Westerman is identified on the far left, standing in the fourth row from the bottom.
Group shot of the cast of a Burnaby South High School performance by students at a community hall. Student musicians are holding musical instruments and seated in front of the stage and five rows of student performers are dressed in costumes standing on the stage behind.
Group shot of the cast of a Burnaby South High School performance by students at a community hall. Student musicians are holding musical instruments and seated in front of the stage and five rows of student performers are dressed in costumes standing on the stage behind.
Photograph of grade eleven (or twelve) students from Burnaby South High School sitting and standing in four rows in front of the school building with their teacher. Glen Boal standing at far right, second row, wearing a patterned sweater and tie. 15 girls and 16 boys. Many students have signed the …
Photograph of grade eleven (or twelve) students from Burnaby South High School sitting and standing in four rows in front of the school building with their teacher. Glen Boal standing at far right, second row, wearing a patterned sweater and tie. 15 girls and 16 boys. Many students have signed the back.
Handwritten text on back of photograph reads: "Lea Milne / Joan Adlem / Betty Cameron / RE Dunn / Tom Bunyan / Doreen Reagh / Gladys Duckett / Calvin Easterbrooke / J. Galbraith / Pat Whittle / G. Powell / Kay Kruse / Joan Masecar / Inez Carson [sic] / Glen Boal / standing far Right"