Song by Winnipeg father, son goes viral by blending Halloween spirit with Punjabi culture

A Winnipeg father and son are encouraging new Canadians to get into the Halloween spirit with a Halloween-themed song that mixes their Punjabi culture with their love for the annual spooky celebration.

Thirteen-year-old Yuvraj Kang and his dad, Amrit Kang, released the song, Ghost Bhangra, last week, complete with a three-minute-long music video. It's already garnered more than 45,000 views on YouTube since its Oct. 26 release.

"I've been enjoying Halloween for many years, since I was a little kid. So it's been pretty fun," said Yuvraj Kang on CBC's Up to Speed Monday.

But he thought it was time to "blend the cultures together of Halloween and Punjabi music ... so that all kids can enjoy it," he said.

The video features Yuvraj singing at a variety of locations in Winnipeg, including Assiniboine Park's annual Halloween event, Boo at the Zoo. 

Children decked out in Halloween costumes dance along with him, and the video cuts to kids trick-or-treating and showing off their Halloween candy.

"There's gonna be costumes, candies, all the fog and all … the dancing," Yuvraj said.

Amrit Kang, who immigrated to Canada in 2008, said it's important for new Canadians to mix their cultural roots with Canadian celebrations.

He said he's proud of his son, who has been studying music at Winnipeg's Sargam Music Academy, where the song was recorded.

"Being a parent, I feel like we are very gifted to have Yuvraj," his father said. "He's very talented."

Yuvraj's musical skills have been showcased at community events, he said. He and his son also created a Christmas-themed Punjabi song last year.

Working on the project with his dad, along with other family and community members, was also part of the fun, said Yuvraj. 

They're planning to release more Punjabi songs and music videos in the future, he said.