SUS and Yukon-Punjabi influencer Gurdeep Pandher host a Zoom dance class
Gurdeep Pandher, a Yukon University dance instructor and internet influencer, held an online bhangra class in coordination with the Student Union Society (SUS) on Nov. 18, amassing an audience of over 80 people on Zoom and more over Instagram Live.
This one-hour dance class was a short crash course in all things bhangra (which Pandher mentioned is pronounced bung-grah and not bang-grah), including history and step-by-step instruction for three moves. One of the most important aspects of the dance form was stressed to be a smile, which Pandher did his best to encourage with mini motivational speeches, his own upbeat attitude, and great music to dance along to (including “Tun ni boldi” by Bindrakhia, which is commonly played at weddings).
“I feel that bhangra is a happy dance. Bhangra is a dance of joy. Bhangra is a dance of positivity. It brings me a lot of happiness, a lot of joy,” Pandher said in a Zoom interview after the event.
The event began with a land acknowledgement from Pandher, letting everyone know that he was teaching the class from the Yukon, the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün and the Ta’an Kwäch’än peoples. Pandher tied the acknowledgement into the history of bhangra and how it started in the Punjab region of India as a folk dance to celebrate the harvest and uplift each other in times of hardship.
Pander explained: “Bhangra is part of our culture, part of our heritage. It’s part of Punjabi culture. It originated from the place my ancestors are from. It has such a deep, cultural, and personal touch.”
The lesson itself consisted of learning the Punjab move, the double clap Punjab, and Jindua (a move which Pandher boasted would replace your treadmill). The dance itself was a quick-paced but repetitive mixture of arm movements combined with footwork that alternated between hopping on one foot and tapping with the other. The variation in the three moves was taught in a cohesive manner, building on earlier moves and increasing in complexity over the lesson.
Despite the high number of online attendees for the event and the fact that all microphones were muted, there was a warm and welcoming atmosphere. This could’ve also been helped by the fact that about half the participants chose to turn on their cameras — you were greeted with a few dancing partners in the corner as you followed along. The chat was frequently used to talk about how great a workout people were getting, how positive Pandher was, and to discuss the songs featured. There was a mix of those expressing being new to the dance and those that were familiar with it sharing information. Pandher also often engaged with what was being said in the chat box, including answering a few questions near the end for those that stuck around.
One of the questioners inquired as to how Pandher, born and raised in Punjab, made his way to the Yukon. In the interview after the event, Pandher further elaborated how he began to travel across Canada before settling in the North.
“Me becoming Canadian was a powerful moment for me. I started realizing that, ‘This is the country that I’m adopting, and this country adopted me as well.’ It was a powerful sentiment that I should learn more about this country. I should learn more about where I’m living,” Pandher said. He went on to explain that becoming Canadian meant he had to lose the citizenship of his birth country and become “100 per cent Canadian.”
“That inspired me to know more about Canada, about Canadian people, about cultures in Canada, how people are living, what they’re doing — just simple, regular, normal lives. So I did road trips almost everywhere in Canada,” Pandher said. “… Everywhere I went I was fascinated by, even though we think of Canada … when we go deeper, we realize there’s actually so many little countries living in Canada — not only little cultures but microcultures and subcultures within one culture.”
The last leg of his year-long cross-country journey included the Yukon, where he fell in love with the place, the people, and the landscape. After his road trip, he decided to stay for good.
As an influencer, Pandher has built his brand on establishing cross-cultural connections and a sense of community. This recent online bhangra class furthered this goal, gathering a large number of people together to potentially try something new from a different culture. I believe Pandher represents the multicultural side of Canada well: a mixing pot of cultures that aims to further understanding and acceptance of all.
“Through bhangra, I’m able to connect with so many people here in Canada,” Pandher said. “I’m able to deliver the message of community and diversity. The message of cross-cultural bridges — bringing awareness to other communities, especially minority communities.” Pandher explained that he encourages everyone to love their culture but also to make room to love each other as well.
Those interested in keeping up with Pandher can follow his Instagram or stop over at his website for his other social media links, bhangra resources, or information on his pay-what-you-can classes.
Gurdeep Pandher. (Mark Kelly)
Chandy is a biology major/chemistry minor who's been a staff writer, Arts editor, and Managing Editor at The Cascade. She began writing in elementary school when she produced Tamagotchi fanfiction to show her peers at school -- she now lives in fear that this may have been her creative peak.
