Gurdeep Pandher
Gurdeep Pandher | |
|---|---|
| Born | Siahar, Punjab, India |
| Citizenship | Canada |
| Occupations | Author, educator and performer |
| Honours | Meritorious Service Medal (Canada) |
| Website | https://gurdeep.ca |
Gurdeep Pandher is a Sikh-Canadian author, teacher and performer best known for sharing Punjabi dance videos.[1] His videos have been featured in French-Canadian media outlets, [2][3][4][5] as well as on television shows including ITV's breakfast show hosted by Lorraine Kelly,[6][7] CTV's eTalk,[8] and Rachel Maddow's MSNBC show.
Biography
[edit]Pandher was born into a farming family in Siahar, Punjab, India.[9] He moved to Canada in 2006 and became a Canadian citizen in 2011.[10] He has lived in numerous Canadian provinces since, including small Canadian villages, and currently resides in a wilderness cabin in Yukon.[11]
Notable dance videos and associated collaborations
[edit]In 2016, Pandher and his dance partner Manuela Haemmerli shared a video, performing Bhangra with Yukon residents, to commemorate Canada Day. The video was later featured on CBC News and CTV News.[12]
In 2017, Pandher collaborated with Whitehorse Mayor Dan Curtis in the video, teaching the latter how to tie a traditional Sikh turban and perform Bhangra.[13][14][15] The video received more than a million views within the first day and was featured on BBC News,[16] Toronto Star,[17] and The Huffington Post.[18] The same year, Pandher shared video with Paralympic swimmer Stephanie Dixon.[19] In the video, both Dixon and Pandher perform a Bhangra routine and swim together in the Yukon hot springs.
In 2019, Pandher and the Canadian Armed Forces collaborated on a Punjabi Bhangra dance video to celebrate diversity and inclusivity in the Canadian military.[20] The video featured soldiers the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Army[21] Filming took place at the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) at Esquimalt, located west of Victoria, British Columbia.[22] The video was shared by Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau[23], Canada's Minister of National Defence, Harjit Sajjan[24] and Royal Canadian Navy commander Art McDonald.[25]
Pandher collaborated with Dana Tizya-Tramm, environmental activist and former Chief of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation (2019-2023) in a 2019 Bhangra dance video.[26] Aborginal People's Television Network later interviewed both Pandher and Tozya-Tramm.[27]
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Pandher shared several videos to uplift the Yukon and broader Canadian community. His January 2020 video, in which he performs Bhangra outdoors in sub-zero temperature, was featured by CBC as "uplifting stories" of the year.[28] In April 2020, Pandher performed Bhangra set to music by bagpiper Jordan Lincez in the Yukon wilderness while practising social distancing.[29][30][31][32] Canadian author Heather Down included Pandher and Lincez in her book, Not Cancelled: Canadian Kindness in the Face of COVID-19, which chronicled positive experiences from several Canadians during the pandemic.[33]
After sharing a September 2020 video of him performing Bhangra on the front lawn of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia[34], Pandher was invited by B.C. Legislature representatives to film a video with their staff.[35] Subsequently, he also posted dance videos with members of the Victoria Police Department (VicPD), Central Saanich Police Service, Oak Bay Police Department, Westshore RCMP, and Duncan/North Cowichan RCMP.[36] A video of him performing Bhangra in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on Vancouver Island was recognized as "Tofino's Top 10 Sports and Art Stories of 2020" by British Columbia Local News.[37][38][39][40]
Film and television
[edit]In September 2020, Pandher appeared in Suzanne Crocker's First We Eat, a film about food sovereignty in Northern Canada, produced by Dawson City.[41]
Books
[edit]Pandher authored Mitti De Ghar ("Clay homes"), a Punjabi language poetry anthology published by New Delhi-based Aarsi Publishers. The book consists of poems and songs written by Pandher in his early years.[42]
In 2023, he was one of the panellists on Canada Reads, discussing Dimitri Nasrallah's novel Hotline.[43]
Other engagements and ventures
[edit]Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, as schools began to shut down, Pandher began to offer accessible, pay-what-you-can, virtual Bhangra lessons.[44][45] In December 2020, Pandher was featured on the cover of Explore, a Canadian adventure and outdoor lifestyle magazine.[46] In 2021, he teamed up with TransLink to create a Bhangra videos encouraging travelers to wear masks while using the Skytrain and other transit services. Pandher appeared on CBC Q's talk show called What're You At? with Tom Power.[47][48]
In 2016, while dancing to traditional Celtic music by a local band in Whitehorse, Yukon, Pandher noticed how "in sync" the Bhangra dance can be with Scottish or Irish music. This led to the inception of "Bhangra: Dance of Punjab," a live cross-cultural music and dance show featuring a performance by Pandher set to both traditional Punjabi music as well as Irish and Scottish music.[49] The show also included performances by Can-can dancers, Irish dancers, Highland dancers, and musicians from different cultures.[50]
Awards and honours
[edit]2026
[edit]- Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division), presented by Governor General Louise Arbour at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, for using "social media and community events to spread joy and hope, and to champion inclusion".[51]
2023
[edit]- Honorary Doctor of Laws conferred by Memorial University of Newfoundland at its May 18, 2023 convocation, one of 14 honorary degrees awarded that year.[52][53]
2021
[edit]- Canadian Public Relations Society National President's Award for Outstanding Public Relations and Communications Management.[54]
- One of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards recipients, presented by Canadian Immigrant and Western Union during the 13th annual edition of the award.[55][56]
- Royal Canadian Geographical Society's Louie Kamookak Medal, awarded for "bridging cross-cultural divides, promoting inclusivity and spreading optimism and joy" through his work during the COVID-19 pandemic.[57][58]
- Government of Yukon's annual Community Recreation and Leadership Award "for promoting active living through Bhangra" in the Yukon Territory.[59]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Canada is loving the Bhangra adventures of Gurdeep Pandher of the Yukon". Get Out There Magazine. August 26, 2020. Archived from the original on 2021-01-28. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
- ↑ "ICI Radio-Canada Première | Balados, livres audio". Radio-Canada (in French). Retrieved 2021-02-22.
- ↑ "24heures Montreal". 29 January 2021.
- ↑ Tison, Marie (2021-01-19). "Le festival de Banff en mode virtuel". La Presse (in French). Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- ↑ "Dans le Grand Nord canadien, le phénomène de la danse Bhangra à Whitehorse". Regard sur l'Arctique (in French). 2021-02-04. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
- ↑ "Bhangra dancer tells Lorraine the dance has helped him stay positive". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
- ↑ "Lorraine Kelly shows off crazy dance moves as she lets her hair down". HOLA. 2021-02-24. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
- ↑ Scott, Katie (2021-02-24). "Viral dancer Gurdeep Pandher wants to teach Ryan Reynolds and Greta Thunberg how to Bhangra dance". etalk. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
- ↑ "How Social Media Sensation Gurdeep Pandher is Breaking Down Barriers". enroute.aircanada.com. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
- ↑ "From snowy Yukon, a Punjabi dance warms Canadian hearts". Christian Science Monitor. 2021-01-12. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
- ↑ "Rob Vanstone: Gurdeep Pandher is an ambassador for joy". leaderpost. August 2020. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
- ↑ "Whitehorse Bhangra dancer shows off Yukon to the world | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- ↑ "Video: Video: See the turban tying video from Yukon that has gone viral". The Globe and Mail. 2017-01-13. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- ↑ "USA Today Video: Mayor's Turban-Tying Lesson Goes Viral". USA Today.
- ↑ "Video of Whitehorse mayor goes viral". 96.1 The Rush. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
- ↑ "Turban fitting goes viral". BBC News. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- ↑ "Yukon mayor's turban tying, Bhangra dancing goes viral". thestar.com. 2017-01-10. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- ↑ "Whitehorse Mayor Calls Bhangra Lesson 'Coolest Thing' He's Been Asked To Do". HuffPost Canada. 2017-01-10. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- ↑ "This Unlikely Pair Just Proved The Yukon Is The Ideal Place For Bhangra". HuffPost Canada. 2017-12-04. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- ↑ "CAF members take part in traditional Punjabi Bhangra Dance". The Maple Leaf. 2019-07-22. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- ↑ "Canadian soldiers' bhangra video goes viral". SBS Your Language. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
- ↑ "Canadian Armed Forces bhangra video shows 'beautiful side' of multiculturalism | News". dailyhive.com. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- ↑ Flanagan, Ryan (2019-07-02). "'We are together': Canadian troops perform bhangra dance in viral video". CTVNews. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- ↑ "Log In or Sign Up to View". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- ↑ "Twitter page of the Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy".
- ↑ "Bhangra dancer in the Yukon is proof that diversity is Canada's strength | Curated". dailyhive.com. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- ↑ "APTN's Facebook Page". Facebook.
- ↑ "CBC News: These uplifting stories made 2020 hurt a little less in Canada".
- ↑ "Yukon Neighbours Use Pandemic Time To Bust Out Bagpipes, Bhangra". HuffPost Canada. 2020-04-06. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
- ↑ "Bhangra Dancer, Bagpiper Join Creative Forces In Canada's North". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
- ↑ "AOL Video - Serving the best video content from AOL and around the web". AOL.com. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
- ↑ "From Bhangra to Bagpipes!". www.classicalfm.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
- ↑ "A Sikh and an Irish Descendant Walk into the Yukon . . ". Humans. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
- ↑ Arrais, Pedro (11 August 2020). "Yukon resident spreads joy and happiness on Island through exuberant dance". Times Colonist. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
- ↑ "Bhangra dancer goes viral after sharing videos from B.C. landmarks | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
- ↑ "Officers And Staff From Across The Region Dance Bhangra With Gurdeep Pandher". VicPD.ca. 2020-09-02. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
- ↑ "Tofino and Ucluelet's Top 10 sports and arts stories of 2020". BC Local News. 2021-01-13. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
- ↑ "Bhangra dancer looks to bring message of hope to B.C. during COVID-19". nationalpost. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
- ↑ "Famous Yukon-based bhangra dancer brings movements of joy to Long Beach". Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News. 2020-08-10. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
- ↑ "Bhangra dancer looks to bring message of hope to B.C. during COVID-19". Retrieved 2021-02-01.
- ↑ "STIR, Vancouver: VIFF review, First We Eat follows family's year as locavores in the Great White North". 25 September 2020.
- ↑ "Punjabi writer and Poet Gurdeep Pandher". SBS Your Language. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
- ↑ "Meet the Canada Reads 2023 contenders". CBC Books, January 25, 2023.
- ↑ "Gurdeep Pandher: Teaching and Uplifting from the North". The Dance Current - Canada's Dance Magazine. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
- ↑ "Whitehorse man's bhangra dance classes go international during pandemic | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
- ↑ Hinton, Kevin; Mckenzie, Ryan (22 December 2020). "Explore Magazine". Explore Magazine. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
- ↑ "Noah Reid, Terry Crews, Mary Walsh: What're You At? With Tom Power | CBC Television". CBC. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- ↑ "Tom Power CBC: What're You At? with Tom Power".
- ↑ "Bhangra comes to Whitehorse". Yukon News. 2016-12-07. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
- ↑ "Whitehorse Daily Star: Gurdeep Pandher, students, musicians set to perform". Whitehorse Daily Star. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
- ↑ "Mr. Gurdeep Singh Pandher". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
- ↑ "Come From Away creators, Mary Brown's CEO and bhangra dancer Gurdeep Pandher among 14 receiving honorary degrees from MUN". pniatlantic. Archived from the original on 2025-07-26. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
- ↑ University, Memorial; Cook, Mandy (2023-04-05). "Convocation approaches". Gazette - Memorial University of Newfoundland. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
- ↑ "Canadian Public Relations Society". www.cprs.ca. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
- ↑ Writer, Staff (2021-11-19). "Meet our 2021 Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award Winners!". Canadian Immigrant. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
- ↑ "Gurdeep Pandher". Canadian Immigrant. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
- ↑ "Gurdeep Pandher of the Yukon receives Louie Kamookak Medal". rcgs.org. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
- ↑ Staff, Can Geo. "Gurdeep Pandher of the Yukon receives Louie Kamookak Medal". canadiangeographic.ca. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
- ↑ "Active living celebrated at annual recreation gathering and awards". open.yukon.ca. Retrieved 2026-07-17.