Tavistock's Punjabi King celebrates 10 million YouTube views for ‘Love You Canada’
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
By Galen Simmons
What began as a heartfelt musical tribute to the country he now calls home has become the biggest success of Tavistock singer Hira Dhariwal's career.
Two years after releasing his music video for “Love You Canada,” Dhariwal – better known to fans as the Punjabi King – has surpassed 10 million views on YouTube, a milestone he says has given him renewed confidence as both a songwriter and performer.
"It felt like going up," Dhariwal said. "I feel better."
Written, composed and performed entirely by Dhariwal, “Love You Canada” is a love letter to Canada celebrating the country's multiculturalism, safety and welcoming communities. Rather than focusing solely on his own experience as an immigrant, he said he wanted the song to resonate with newcomers from around the world.
"I wrote about Canadian multiculturalism – all kinds of people, all colours, all languages, everything," he said. "That's why I wrote this song."
Scenes from the music video were filmed locally, featuring recognizable locations in Stratford and Tavistock, including appearances by the Stratford Police Service, members of the Multicultural Association of Perth Huron, where Dhariwal volunteers helping newcomers settle in the region, and landmarks around Tavistock. He said local support was instrumental in making the production possible.
The video has steadily gained viewers since its release two years ago, eventually surpassing the 10-million-view mark last month.
For Dhariwal, the milestone represents far more than a number.
"I feel more comfortable and more confident," he said.
The song has also taken him to some unexpected places. Love You Canada was featured on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and Dhariwal has performed it at multicultural celebrations across Ontario, including a festival in Mississauga, where he said he received special recognition.
He hopes people beyond the Punjabi-speaking community continue discovering the song by using YouTube's translation and caption features.
"It's a Punjabi song, but online there are lots of options," he said. "People can translate it."
Dhariwal, who first found success with his debut song Punjabi King and has since become a familiar face at multicultural festivals throughout Ontario, has no plans to slow down.
Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of his music career, and he plans to celebrate with new releases and concerts. He is also working on his first English-language song, a tribute to mothers and fathers that he wrote himself.
In the meantime, Dhariwal will continue performing across Ontario this summer while encouraging listeners to discover the song that has become his biggest hit.
Love You Canada can be viewed on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTgM3pos5bs. Dhariwal’s upcoming shows include a performance at an Indian Independence Day festival in Burlington on Aug. 15 and one at Oxford MP Arpan Khanna’s Free Family BBQ at the Outdoor Farm Show Grounds in Woodstock on Aug. 22.