Deva Premal
Deva Premal (née Jolantha Fries; born 1970) is a German singer and classically trained musician best known for her performances of ancient Sanskrit mantras set to soothing contemporary arrangements, blending devotional chanting with elements of new age and world music.[1][2] Born in Nuremberg, Germany, Premal was raised in a spiritually attuned household by her mother, a classical musician who played piano, harpsichord, and led choirs, and her father, a visual artist passionate about Middle Eastern rhythms and hand drums; from a young age, she was immersed in mantra chanting, including the Gayatri Mantra as a nightly ritual, and received formal training on violin and piano.[3][4] At age 11, she became a disciple of the spiritual teacher Osho (Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh), receiving her spiritual name Deva Premal, meaning "divine loving," and later moved to his ashram in Pune, India, at 17, and met her longtime musical and life partner, Miten (born Andy Desmond), there in 1990 at age 20.[4][5] Premal's career gained prominence in the late 1990s through collaborative recordings with Miten, starting with their debut album The Essence in 1998, which featured mantra-based tracks that introduced these sacred sounds to broader Western audiences; over the following decades, they have released more than 25 albums together, including Love Is Space (2000), Embrace (2002), and Strength of a Rose (2013), often incorporating live recordings from global tours spanning locations like Siberia, Peru, Australia, and the United States.[3][6] Their work emphasizes the healing and meditative qualities of mantra, drawing from Premal's background in bodywork and voice training, and has positioned them as pioneers in the worldwide chant movement, with performances at yoga retreats, festivals, and spiritual centers.[1][5] As of 2025, they continue to release new music, including The Inevitable Blossoming of the Heart (2025), and tour globally.[7] In recognition of her contributions, Premal received a Grammy Award nomination in 2020 for Best New Age Album for her self-titled release Deva (2018), which reinterprets traditional mantras like the Gayatri across the seven chakras; this accolade highlighted her two decades of dedicated artistry and the growing mainstream appeal of her spiritually infused music.[8] Beyond recordings, Premal and Miten lead chant workshops and online programs, fostering community through their app and events that explore the transformative power of sound and devotion.[5]Early Life
Birth and Upbringing
Deva Premal was born Jolantha Fries on April 2, 1970, in Nuremberg, West Germany.[9][5] She grew up in an unconventional, spiritually oriented family that provided a nurturing environment rich in music and Eastern influences. Her mother, Gyan Viten, was an accomplished classical musician specializing in medieval music; she taught piano and harpsichord lessons to support the household and led a local church choir. Premal's father, Wolfgang Fries, was a visual artist deeply engaged in spiritual pursuits, with a particular interest in Middle Eastern rhythmic techniques and percussion instruments like drums. Both parents embraced Zen Buddhism and Eastern philosophies, incorporating daily Sanskrit mantra chanting into family life, which created a home atmosphere blending artistic creativity with mystical exploration.[5] Premal's childhood in Germany was marked by early immersion in these elements, shaping her formative years. From infancy, she was exposed to the Gayatri mantra, which her parents chanted to her in the womb and as a nightly lullaby, instilling a subconscious affinity for sacred sounds. The household resonated with chamber music sessions led by her mother and improvisational drum circles facilitated by her father, alongside storytelling sessions featuring mystical tales from diverse traditions. Premal displayed an innate interest in the arts, absorbing musical instruction from her mother and experimenting with creative expression influenced by her father's artistic endeavors. She also showed a precocious curiosity about spirituality, becoming fascinated by biblical parables and seeking baptism at a young age, which reflected her reflective and inquisitive nature.[5][10] During adolescence, Premal's engagement with Eastern philosophies intensified through key personal encounters. At age 11, inspired by viewing a video discourse from the Indian spiritual teacher Osho (Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh), she initiated the process to become his disciple and was given the spiritual name Deva Premal, signifying "divine loving." This step, rooted in her family's prior exposure to mantras and Zen practices, represented a conscious deepening of her interest in Eastern spiritual traditions.[5]Education and Early Influences
Deva Premal, born Jolantha Fries in 1970 in Nürnberg, Germany, completed her formal schooling by the age of 17, after which she pursued no further traditional academic studies. During her childhood and early adolescence in Germany, she received classical musical training from her mother, a professional musician specializing in medieval music, learning piano, harpsichord, and violin, as well as voice training that laid the groundwork for her later artistic expression.[5][11][2] At age 11, Premal became a disciple of the Indian mystic Osho after being introduced to his teachings through video discourses, an experience that profoundly shifted her spiritual outlook and prompted her to seek deeper immersion beyond her German upbringing. Motivated by this calling, she relocated to India in 1987 at 17, specifically to join the Osho International Meditation Resort in Pune, marking a pivotal transition from her European roots to an intensive spiritual environment. This move was driven by her desire to engage directly with Osho's Zen teachings and community, which she had been drawn to since childhood through her family's unconventional spiritual influences.[5][11][2] Upon arriving at the Pune ashram, Premal immersed herself in Osho's meditation practices, including dynamic techniques involving movement and sound, which expanded her worldview by emphasizing self-expression, inner silence, and holistic well-being over conventional structures. She contributed to the ashram's daily life by working in the gardens and participating in evening meditation sessions featuring diverse global music, experiences that fostered a sense of communal spirituality and personal transformation. These early exposures at the resort profoundly shaped her foundational understanding of meditation as a path to healing and awareness, influencing her lifelong commitment to integrative practices.[5][11] During her time at the ashram, Premal trained in various bodywork modalities under Osho's guidance, including Shiatsu, reflexology, and cranio-sacral therapy, which introduced her to ancient Eastern healing techniques focused on energy flow and physical-emotional balance. This training not only provided practical skills but also reinforced her holistic approach to life, viewing the body as a conduit for spiritual energy and emphasizing touch-based therapies as complementary to meditative practices. The integration of these elements at the Pune resort solidified her early influences, blending physical healing with spiritual inquiry to form the bedrock of her personal philosophy.[5][11][2]Career
Beginnings and First Recordings
Deva Premal met her lifelong partner and musical collaborator, Miten (born Andy Desmond in London), in 1990 at the Osho International Meditation Resort in Pune, India. At the time, Premal, then 20 years old, was immersed in studies of reflexology, shiatsu, craniosacral therapy, and massage, while Miten, then aged 43, coordinated the music for evening meditation discourses at the ashram. Upon Miten's invitation, Premal joined the ashram's music group, where she contributed vocals and played piano, violin, and keyboards, marking the onset of her deeper engagement with devotional music within the spiritual community.[5][12][13] The pair's formal musical partnership began in 1992, shortly after they left the Osho ashram together, as they started performing devotional chants and songs in intimate settings. Drawing from their shared experiences in meditation and mantra practice, Premal and Miten offered early concerts and voice workshops centered on Sanskrit and English devotional pieces, fostering a sense of communal healing through sound. These initial performances took place in small venues across India and Europe, often for audiences of 20 to 30 people, gradually building interest among spiritual seekers and laying the foundation for their global reach.[14][15][16] In 1997, Premal and Miten released their debut collaborative album, Trusting the Silence, a serene collection designed specifically for meditation and inner reflection. Recorded in a modest setting to capture the essence of their live improvisations, the album features eight tracks, including an adaptation of the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi set to music, alongside favorites like "Sri Ram" and "Into the Wind" that highlighted Premal's ethereal vocals paired with Miten's guitar accompaniment. The recording process emphasized simplicity and presence, aligning with their philosophy of music as a bridge to silence, and it was initially distributed in limited copies for use in their workshops. Upon release, Trusting the Silence garnered appreciative reception within new age and meditation circles for its calming depth and accessibility, establishing Premal and Miten as emerging voices in mantra-based music and supporting the expansion of their early European and Indian tours.[17][18][19]Rise to Prominence and Major Works
Deva Premal's breakthrough came with her debut solo album, The Essence, released in 1998, which featured prominent renditions of the Gayatri Mantra and rapidly ascended to the top of the New Age and world music charts globally.[20][21] This album, initially produced in a limited run of 1,000 copies for distribution within spiritual communities, achieved widespread acclaim and has sold over 250,000 copies worldwide, establishing Premal as a leading voice in mantra-based music.[22][23][23] Building on this momentum, Premal released a series of influential albums that solidified her presence in the New Age genre, including Love Is Space in 2000, Embrace in 2002, Dakshina in 2005, and Into Silence in 2008. These works, characterized by their soothing mantra interpretations and collaborations with partner Miten, contributed to cumulative album sales exceeding one million units and sustained chart performance in specialized New Age rankings.[24] A pivotal personal milestone occurred in July 2005, when Premal and Miten chanted the Gayatri Mantra for her dying father, an experience she described as profoundly healing: "We kept singing for what must have been over an hour. I feel so grateful that I could be there until the moment he passed through," highlighting the mantra's enduring spiritual role in her life.[25] Premal's career reached a new height with her 2018 self-titled album Deva, which earned a nomination for Best New Age Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.[26] The album debuted at the top of global New Age and world music charts and became a consistent best-seller, reflecting her ongoing impact.[27] Through these releases and accolades up to 2025, Premal has received media recognition for pioneering accessible mantra music, with endorsements from figures like Eckhart Tolle and the Dalai Lama, and applications in therapeutic contexts such as yoga, meditation, and healing programs.[24]Tours and Global Performances
Deva Premal began her touring career in 1992 alongside her musical partner Miten, initially focusing on intimate chant workshops and performances within spiritual communities such as Osho's ashram in India, where she immersed herself in mantra practices during her formative years.[5] These early events emphasized participatory singing and meditation, drawing small audiences interested in Eastern spiritual traditions. Over the decades, their offerings evolved into larger-scale international concerts, incorporating a full band known as the Temple Band, and expanding to include retreat-style events that blend music with guided meditations.[28] This progression reflected growing global interest in mantra chanting as a tool for personal transformation, with Premal and Miten performing in diverse venues from yoga retreats to major theaters.[29] A pivotal moment in their live performance history occurred in 2002 during the "Unity in Duality" conference in Munich, Germany, where Premal and Miten delivered both a public concert and a private performance for the Dalai Lama, chanting the Tara Mantra at his request.[30] This event, attended by scientists, spiritual leaders, and dignitaries, highlighted the healing potential of their music in interfaith and interdisciplinary settings, marking a shift toward high-profile global engagements.[31] Premal's tours have achieved widespread international reach, spanning Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, and South America, with performances in cities such as Budapest, Riga, St. Petersburg, Miami, Siberia, Peru, and Melbourne.[5] In Europe, they have conducted extensive circuits, including a 16-concert "Singing Our Prayers" tour in 2024 across Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the UK, Slovakia, and Poland, often selling out venues like those in Lisbon and Budapest.[28] North American tours include stops in the USA (e.g., Sedona and Mesa in 2013 and 2017) and Canada (a dedicated 2023 tour with live stage shows), while retreat-style events have been held in locations like Costa Rica and Greece, fostering immersive experiences in mantra and spirituality.[32] In 2025, they continued with "Singing Our Prayers" tours in Canada (spring), North America, and Europe (17 gatherings across 11 countries), with further dates in Oslo and Gdansk.[7][33] Although specific concert tours in India are less documented, Premal's deep ties to the region—stemming from her early studies there—inform the Sanskrit mantras central to their global repertoire.[5] In live collaborations, Premal partnered with the Gyuto Monks of Tibet in 2010 for the project Tibetan Mantras for Turbulent Times, which involved recording sessions in Australia and subsequent performances that integrated their throat-singing traditions with her vocals to promote compassion and purification.[34] Recent activities through 2025 continue to emphasize workshops and retreats worldwide, such as those at the Omega Institute and Blue Spirit Costa Rica, where participants engage in chant circles aimed at emotional healing and inner peace through music, alongside the November 2025 announcement of a 2026 South America tour across Chile, Argentina, and other cities.[31][35] These events, often themed around hope and renewal, underscore Premal's philosophy of music as a "gentle balm" for collective well-being.[28]Musical Style and Philosophy
Influences and Mantra Tradition
Deva Premal's music is deeply rooted in the ancient Sanskrit mantra tradition, which traces its origins to the Vedic period over 3,000 years ago, encompassing sacred chants believed to carry vibrational healing properties. From an early age, she was immersed in this tradition through her family's practices; her parents chanted mantras during her pregnancy, with the Gayatri Mantra serving as a daily invocation that became a foundational element of her spiritual and artistic life. Premal has described the Gayatri Mantra as the "spiritual thread that runs through my life—it is my home," noting it was the first mantra she heard, sung to her as a lullaby by her father.[5][36] Her engagement with Eastern philosophies deepened during her time in India, particularly through her connection to the teachings of Osho (Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh), whom she first encountered at age 11 via a video discourse that profoundly impacted her despite her limited English at the time. At 17, she traveled to Osho's ashram in Pune, where she became a disciple—receiving the name Deva Premal, meaning "Divine Loving"—and immersed herself in Osho's synthesis of Eastern spiritual traditions, including Zen theology, Sufi practices, and Sanskrit mantras. This period exposed her to a diverse array of contemplative techniques, such as Sufi zikrs and dynamic meditations, which informed her understanding of mantras as tools for inner transformation and healing.[5][37] Central to Premal's production process is Prabhu Music, the independent label she co-founded with her partner Miten (named Prabhu Miten by Osho, meaning "Friend of God"), which specializes in releasing works that honor spiritual traditions through meditative and mantra-based recordings. Over 25 albums have been produced under this imprint, including Grammy-nominated projects, emphasizing simplicity and reverence to align with the devotional essence of ancient chants while making them accessible for global listeners. Prabhu Music's approach reflects Osho's influence by prioritizing music as a meditative practice rather than commercial entertainment.[5][37] Premal selects mantras based on their personal resonance and universal spiritual significance, often drawing from her childhood experiences and ashram learnings, such as the Gayatri for its invocation of divine light or others like the Mahamantra for devotion. She adapts these ancient chants for contemporary audiences by merging them with modern instrumentation—including piano, acoustic guitar, and subtle East-West fusions like bansuri flute—creating a world-music genre that facilitates meditation, yoga, and stress relief without altering the core vibrational integrity of the Sanskrit syllables. This pioneering blend, evident in albums like The Essence (1998), introduces unique interpretations, such as extended repetitions for immersive listening, allowing listeners from diverse backgrounds to experience the mantras' timeless energy in a relatable format.[36][27][38]Vocal Style and Thematic Focus
Deva Premal possesses a contralto vocal range, characterized by its low, rich timbre that lends a profound resonance to her performances.[39] This depth makes her voice particularly suited for mantra chanting, where the sustained, vibrational quality evokes a sense of grounded presence and inner stillness, allowing listeners to connect deeply with the sacred sounds.[36] Her singing style is often described as pure, unhurried, and crystalline, blending classical training with a tender, inviting tone that prioritizes emotional authenticity over technical display.[40][36] Premal's music aligns with the new age genre, incorporating acoustic and meditative arrangements that emphasize simplicity and rhythmic repetition to foster relaxation and mindfulness.[27] These elements draw from her classical background in voice and violin, creating layered yet understated soundscapes often featuring harmonium, tanpura, and subtle percussion to support the chants without overwhelming them.[5] The repetitive structure mirrors the meditative nature of mantras, encouraging prolonged listening that builds cumulative emotional and spiritual immersion.[40] At the heart of her work lie themes of healing, spirituality, and inner peace, primarily expressed through ancient Sanskrit mantras that serve as vehicles for personal transformation and communal connection.[27] These motifs position her music as a form of sonic medicine, aimed at settling the breath, opening the heart, and cultivating unity with the divine.[36] Across her discography, the thematic focus has evolved from intimate, gentle explorations of presence in early recordings to more expansive expressions in later works, integrating natural sounds like ocean waves or jungle ambiance to deepen the sense of meditative journey and ecological harmony, as seen in her 2025 album The Inevitable Blossoming of the Heart.[36][41] Her production approach favors minimal instrumentation—such as bansuri flute, piano, and occasional strings—to prominently feature the vocals, allowing the mantras' inherent power to shine through unadorned.[27] This deliberate restraint contrasts sharply with mainstream music's often elaborate, effects-heavy productions, prioritizing acoustic purity and listener intimacy over commercial polish.[40]Personal Life
Relationship with Miten
Deva Premal met her long-term partner Miten (born Andy Desmond) in 1990 at the Osho International Meditation Resort in Pune, India, where she was studying reflexology and shiatsu while he coordinated music for evening meditations. Their initial interaction began with Premal offering Miten a shiatsu session, which sparked a romantic connection despite a 23-year age difference.[14][5] Soon after, their relationship developed professionally as Premal joined Miten's music group at the ashram, singing and playing piano, violin, and keyboards alongside his guitar work.[14][42] Over the subsequent decades, Premal and Miten's partnership has blended personal intimacy with creative synergy, evolving into a committed companionship that emphasizes mutual support and presence in the moment. Miten played a pivotal role in encouraging Premal's vocal exploration, particularly her reconnection with mantra singing during an Osho music festival in England, which profoundly influenced their joint artistic direction.[5][43] Their collaboration extends to co-creating music and staging interactive performances worldwide, where Miten's guitar and songwriting complement Premal's ethereal vocals, fostering an environment of shared inspiration and emotional depth.[14][44] As a couple, Premal and Miten embrace a nomadic lifestyle, traveling extensively for tours and retreats since leaving the ashram in 1992, with brief returns to Premal's native Germany as a temporary base. This peripatetic existence allows them to maintain a fluid, adventure-filled life together, free from fixed routines, while prioritizing their bond through constant companionship and open communication.[14][43]Spiritual Journey and Practices
Deva Premal's spiritual journey has been profoundly shaped by her lifelong dedication to Osho meditation techniques, which she continues to integrate into her daily routine and retreats worldwide. Initiated as an Osho disciple at a young age, she maintains practices such as Dynamic and Kundalini meditations, which emphasize active release and inner awakening, fostering a sustained connection to Osho's teachings on presence and transformation.[5] These techniques form the core of her ongoing involvement, as evidenced by her leadership in retreats like the Gayatri Gathering in Costa Rica, where participants engage in Osho-inspired sessions alongside mantra chanting for ecstatic and restorative experiences.[45] Her personal practices revolve around daily mantra chanting, yoga, and bodywork modalities like Shiatsu, which she explored deeply during her formative years in spiritual communities. Chanting Sanskrit mantras, particularly the Gayatri Mantra, serves as a cornerstone of her routine, promoting alignment and healing; she often repeats them 108 times in line with traditional protocols to deepen meditative states. Complementing this, her incorporation of yoga and Shiatsu—ancient healing arts introduced through Osho—supports physical and energetic balance, allowing her to sustain vitality amid extensive global travel.[5] In partnership with Miten, these practices extend to collaborative retreats focused on spiritual immersion. Premal's spirituality has evolved from immersive experiences in India, where she delved into meditative and therapeutic disciplines, to her current role as a teacher emphasizing healing through sound. This progression reflects a shift toward sharing accessible tools for inner peace, with mantra chanting positioned as a vibrational medicine that addresses emotional and physical ailments. Her teachings, disseminated through over 25 albums and guided programs like the 21-Day Mantra Meditation Journey, highlight sound's capacity to facilitate profound healing and connection to the divine.[5] A poignant illustration of this evolution occurred in 2005, when she and Miten chanted the Gayatri Mantra continuously for her dying father, mirroring the lullabies he sang to her in utero and framing the event as a sacred completion of life's cycle.[46]Discography
Solo Albums
Deva Premal's solo studio albums primarily feature her interpretations of ancient Sanskrit mantras, often accompanied by subtle instrumentation to facilitate meditation and spiritual reflection. Released through independent labels specializing in new age and world music, these works highlight her ethereal vocal style and commitment to mantra chanting as a tool for inner peace. As of 2025, she has produced ten principal solo studio albums, emphasizing themes of healing, devotion, and transcendence without collaborations as co-lead artists.[47] Her debut solo album, The Essence (1998, White Swan Records), introduced her signature sound with eight tracks of meditative Sanskrit mantras, including the iconic "Gayatri Mantra," which has amassed over 67 million streams on Spotify as of 2025 and helped popularize mantra music in the West. The album's minimalist production, blending Premal's clear vocals with gentle flute and harp, creates an atmosphere of serene contemplation, marking a pivotal entry into global spiritual music scenes.[48][49][50] Love Is Space (2000, White Swan Records), her follow-up, expands on this foundation with seven tracks reinterpreting classic mantras like "Om Mani Padme Hum" and "Jai Radha Madhav" in contemporary settings. Featuring contributions from producer Kit Walker, the album incorporates soft percussion and ambient layers to evoke expansive, loving energy, distinguishing it as a bridge between traditional chant and accessible relaxation music.[51][52] In Embrace (2002, Medial Music), Premal delivers eight devotional pieces centered on themes of acceptance and unity, with highlights such as "Om Namo Bhagavate" showcasing her ability to infuse mantras with emotional depth. The album's warm, acoustic arrangements underscore its role in fostering personal spiritual embrace, appealing to yoga practitioners worldwide. Dakshina (2005, Medial Music/Silenzio), a collection of eight mantras including the popular "Aad Guray Nameh," achieved mainstream visibility by reaching the Top 20 on Amazon's world music charts. Its polished production and rhythmic elements make it particularly suitable for active meditation, reflecting Premal's growing influence in wellness communities.[48] Deva Premal Sings the Moola Mantra (2007, Sounds True) focuses on repetitions of the Moola Mantra, a powerful invocation for divine connection, presented in extended vocal performances designed for deep meditation and healing practices.[53] Into Silence (2008, Sounds True) focuses on meditative immersion through selected chants like "Om Tare Tuttare" arranged for deep relaxation, emphasizing silence as a spiritual gateway. With its compilation-style curation of her most soothing works, the album serves as an accessible entry for newcomers to mantra practice, prioritizing vocal purity over elaborate orchestration.[54] Addressing global uncertainties, Mantras for Precarious Times (2009, Prabhu Music) presents seven extended mantras, such as "Om Shanti Om" for peace and "Om Shree Dhanvantre Namaha" for healing, designed for daily devotional use. Its repetitive structure and calming instrumentation provide practical tools for emotional resilience during challenging periods.[55] Password (2011, Sounds True) marks a more experimental turn with nine tracks blending ancient texts from India, Nepal, and Tibet, including "Yasomati" with jazz-infused arrangements by musicians like Manose on bansuri. This album's sophisticated melodies and cross-cultural fusion highlight Premal's evolution toward innovative spiritual expression.[56] Mantralove (2013, Sounds True) explores a selection of mantras centered on love and compassion, featuring tracks like "Om Tare Tam So Hum" with layered harmonies and gentle instrumentation to evoke heartfelt devotion and inner harmony.[53] Premal's self-titled Deva (2018, Prabhu Music), comprising ten tracks bookended by variations of the "Seven Chakra Gayatri Mantra," earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Age Album in 2020. Featuring layered vocals and subtle electronic elements, it encapsulates her life's journey through mantra, offering a profound, full-circle mystical experience.[48][57]Collaborative and Live Albums
Deva Premal's collaborative albums predominantly feature her partnership with Miten, resulting in a body of work that integrates ancient mantras with acoustic arrangements and devotional themes. Beginning in the late 1990s, their joint recordings emphasize shared vocal harmonies and meditative soundscapes, often produced during retreats or tours. This collaboration extends to other artists, including the Gyuto Monks of Tibet, highlighting Premal's role in bridging Eastern spiritual traditions with contemporary music.| Year | Title | Collaborator(s) | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Trusting the Silence | Miten | White Swan Records | Recorded in India; spontaneous mantras and original compositions in raw style. |
| 1998 | Strength of a Rose | Miten | White Swan Records | Explores themes of love and spirituality through folk-influenced songs. |
| 2002 | Satsang | Miten | Live recording | Live-inspired meditation in song and silence from tours. |
| 2010 | Tibetan Mantras for Turbulent Times | Gyuto Monks of Tibet | Sounds True | Collaborative chants blending Tibetan traditions with Premal's vocals. |
| 2013 | 21-Day Mantra Meditation Journey | Miten | Prabhu Music | Compilation/live-like from workshop series, focusing on transformative mantras. |
| 2022 | Timeless | Miten | White Swan Records | Features extended Gayatri Mantra Japa and devotional tracks from tours.[58] |
| 2023 | A Deeper Light | Miten, Manose | White Swan Records | Sanskrit mantras with dub-inspired grooves and bansuri.[59] |
| 2025 | The Inevitable Blossoming of the Heart | Miten | White Swan Records | Includes tracks like "Gaia Ma" and revisited chants, released June 2025.[41] |