# Deva Premal

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Deva_Premal
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Deva_Premal.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deva_Premal
> Source revision: 1265306515
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

German singer (born 1970)

Deva Premal Premal in 2006 Background information Born Jolantha Fries (1970-04-02) 2 April 1970 (age 56) Nürnberg, Germany Spouse Andy Desmond

Musical artist

**Jolantha Fries[1]** (born 2 April 1970), known professionally as **Deva Premal**, is a German singer known for her performances of [Sanskrit](/source/Sanskrit) [mantras](/source/Mantra). Her music is composed and produced with Prabhu Music. Her album *[Deva](/source/Deva_(album))* (2018) was nominated for a [Grammy Award](/source/Grammy_Award) for [Best New Age Album](/source/Grammy_Award_for_Best_New_Age_Album) at the [62nd Annual Grammy Awards](/source/62nd_Annual_Grammy_Awards).[2][3][4]

## Biography

Premal met her partner, [Miten](/source/Andy_Desmond), at the [Osho International Meditation Resort](/source/Rajneesh_movement) in [Pune](/source/Pune), [India](/source/India), in 1990, where she was studying [reflexology](/source/Reflexology), [shiatsu](/source/Shiatsu), [craniosacral therapy](/source/Craniosacral_therapy) and [massage](/source/Massage).[5] They have toured together since 1992, offering concerts and chant workshops.[6]

In July 2005, Premal chanted the [Gayatri Mantra](/source/Gayatri_Mantra) for her father as he was dying. She recounted the experience: "We kept singing for what must have been over half an hour when suddenly the monitor showed that he was about to leave. I continued to sing, and the last sound he heard as he passed on was his beloved 'Gayatri Mantra'. Finally, we ended with the mantra [Om](/source/Om), and the circle was complete. He had welcomed me onto this planet with the 'Gayatri,' and I accompanied him out of this physical existence with it."

In an interview with LA Yoga Magazine,[7] Premal discussed the effect of chanting mantras:[8] "The meaning is secondary...with Sanskrit, the word ananda is the sound vibration of bliss... It's working on a cellular level."

Premal's chants have been used in various contexts. [Cher](/source/Cher) featured Premal's version of the "Gayatri Mantra" on her Farewell Tour,[9] and Russian prima ballerina [Diana Vishneva](/source/Diana_Vishneva) danced to Premal's "Gayatri" in Moses Pendleton's F.L.O.W. series.[10] [Edward James Olmos](/source/Edward_James_Olmos) reportedly gave copies of Premal's "Gayatri Mantra" to the cast and crew of [Battlestar Galactica](/source/Battlestar_Galactica_(2004_TV_series)),[11] and cited her music as inspiration for his role as Commander Adama.[12] He also used "Om Hraum Mitraya" from Premal's album *Dakshina* (2005) in his HBO movie *Walkout.*

Premal and Miten performed for [The Dalai Lama](/source/The_Dalai_Lama) at a 2002 conference in [Munich](/source/Munich), [Germany](/source/Germany), on "Unity in Duality".[13] They sang the Tara Mantra, reportedly his favorite.[14]

Premal's *Tibetan Mantras for Precarious Times* (2010) was recorded with the [Gyuto Monks](/source/Gyuto_Order) of [Tibet](/source/Tibet). It features eight mantras each chanted 108 times.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Music and information

Premal and [Miten](/source/Andy_Desmond) say they use a "natural selection" process to choose mantras for their albums. Premal prefers [Sanskrit](/source/Sanskrit) mantras.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] She has stated that removing her ego from her understanding of the mantra allows its true meaning to be expressed.[5] She describes their work as being "messengers of a 5,000-year-old tradition."[5] Her vocal range is [contralto](/source/Contralto).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Discography

1. *1997 – Trusting the Silence* (with Miten)
1. *1998 – The Essence*
1. *1998 – Strength of a Rose* (with Miten)
1. *2000 – Love Is Space*
1. *2002 – Embrace*
1. *2002 – Satsang* (with Miten)
1. *2003 – Songs for the Inner Lover* (with Miten)
1. *2004 – More Than Music* (with Miten)
1. *2005 – Dakshina*
1. *2005 – Live in Byron Bay* (with Miten)
1. *2007 – Sings the Moola Mantra*
1. *2007 – Soul in Wonder* (with Miten and [Manose](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manose_Singh&action=edit&redlink=1))
1. *2008 – Into Silence*
1. *2009 – In Concert – The Yoga of Sacred Song and Chant* (with Miten and Manose)
1. *2009 – Mantras for Precarious Times*
1. *2009 – DevaSonic Vol 1*
1. *2009 – DevaSonic Vol 2*
1. *2009 – Download Singles* (with Miten)
1. *2010 – Into Light*
1. *2010 – Tibetan Mantras for Turbulent Times*
1. *2011 – Password*
1. *2013 – 21-Day Mantra Meditation Journey* (with Miten)
1. *2013 – A Deeper Light* (with Miten and Manose)
1. *2013 – MantraLove* (with Miten)
1. *2014 – Mantras for Life* (with Miten and Manose)
1. *2014 – The Spirit of Mantra (21-Day Mantra Meditation Journey, Vol. II)* (with Miten)
1. *2015 – Songs for the Sangha* (with Miten and Manose)
1. *2016 – Cosmic Connections Live* (with Miten and Manose)
1. *2018 – [Deva](/source/Deva_(album))*
1. *2022 – Timeless* (with Miten)
1. *2024 – All the Birds Fly Home (Live, with Miten)*

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Die heilsame Kraft der Klänge"](https://www.nordbayern.de/kultur/die-heilsame-kraft-der-klange-1.6783200) (in German). nordbayern.de. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 15 October 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["'Deva' nominated for the 2020 Grammy Awards | Osho News"](https://www.oshonews.com/2019/11/25/deva-nominated-for-the-2020-grammy-awards/). 24 November 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Times, Nepali (23 November 2019). ["First Nepali to be nominated for a Grammy Award"](https://nepalitimes.com/news/first-nepali-to-be-nominated-for-a-grammy-award). *nepalitimes.com*. Retrieved 8 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Deva Premal | Artist | GRAMMY.com"](https://grammy.com/artists/deva-premal/251968). *grammy.com*. Retrieved 8 August 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Brachfeld_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Brachfeld_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Brachfeld_5-2) Brachfeld, Aaron (2 June 2013). ["An Interview with Deva Primel"](http://meadowlarkherald.blogspot.com/2013/05/an-interview-with-deva-primel.html). *the Meadowlark Herald*. Retrieved 8 June 2013.{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Dubrovsky, Anna. [*Yoga Rock Stars*](https://www.himalayaninstitute.org/yi/Article.aspx?id=3095) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20101021043517/http://www.himalayaninstitute.org/YI/Article.aspx?id=3095) 21 October 2010 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *Yoga International*, September 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Slovik, Sam. [*Soul Balancing: Path of the Sacred Road Dog*](http://layogamagazine.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=544&Itemid=1) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20101229010651/http://layogamagazine.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=544&Itemid=1) 29 December 2010 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *LA Yoga Magazine*, March 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Shapiro, Ed & Deb. [*Do Mantras Really Work*](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ed-and-deb-shapiro/do-mantras-really-work_b_324820.html), *Huffington Post*, 20 October 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Tsering, Lisa. ["Cher Chants Gayatri Mantra At Her Concerts"](http://www.hvk.org/articles/0903/116.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120214154045/http://www.hvk.org/articles/0903/116.html) 14 February 2012 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *Times of London*, 5 September 2003.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Beauty In Motion-F.L.O.W. Part III"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h2fdZ6XpR8), *YouTube*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Stailey, M. [*Battlestar Galactica: All Access*](http://www.dvdverdict.com/newsblog/mstailey/post/1500) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110701161700/http://www.dvdverdict.com/newsblog/mstailey/post/1500) 1 July 2011 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *DVD Verdict Legal Briefs*, 8 June 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Ruby, Jamie. ["Edward James Olmos: Exclusive Interview With MediaBlvd"](http://www.battlestararies-bsr26.net/apps/blog/show/prev?from_id=1569151) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110104224625/http://www.battlestararies-bsr26.net/apps/blog/show/prev?from_id=1569151) 4 January 2011 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *Battlestar Aries*, 5 August 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Tarab Institute. [*Unity In Duality-Tendrel Congress*](http://www.tarab-institute.org/gb/congress4.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120319185611/http://www.tarab-institute.org/gb/congress4.htm) 19 March 2012 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *Tarab Institute*, 10–13 Oct 2002.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Attwood, Janet Bray [*Songs of the Divine: An interview from the Dialogues with the Masters Series*](http://www.healthywealthynwise.com/article.aspx?author=Janet%20Bray%20Attwood&title=Songs%20of%20the%20Divine:%0D%0AAn%20interview%20from%20the%20Dialogues%20with%20the%20Masters%20Series&Article=5394), *Healthy Wealthy nWise*, Feb 2008.

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.devapremalmiten.com/)

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND WorldCat National United States France BnF data Czech Republic Artists MusicBrainz Grammy Awards People DDB Other IdRef Yale LUX

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Deva Premal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deva_Premal) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deva_Premal?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.