Deva Premal
In contrast
to the rock'n'roll life-style of Miten, Deva Premal was raised in an atmosphere of mantra
and spiritual discipline.
Born in Germany in 1970 of a mystic/artist father and a musically talented mother, she was
taught violin, piano and received voice training. By the time she was five years old, she
was already chanting the Gayatri Mantra daily, and since that time she continues to
integrate meditation into her life. She has studied Shiatsu, Reflexology, CranioSacral
Therapy and Massage, but music remains her first love.
"My
father has been on the spiritual path since the 50's, studying Yoga, spiritual scriptures
and whatever books were available back then, making it his daily discipline to meditate
every morning between 3 and 5 a.m," she says. "When I was growing up he devised
exercises for my sister and I, to help us become more aware of the moment.
As a child she studied the violin and piano but it wasn't until she met Miten, at the Osho
Community in India, that she began exploring her voice.
"When Miten began encouraging me to sing harmony with him, I didn't need a big push!
I had grown up with music so the ground work was already done. And we sounded pretty good
together!
At first I played a supporting role, singing second voice, playing keyboards, and
co-leading our workshops, which used mantras and chants from different cultures. I was
very shy to sing alone, but encouraged by Miten, I became more confident and eventually
discovered my voice."
The
influence of Indian classical music is evident in her singing, although she has never
attempted to copy or steal from the tradition. "It just comes naturally," she
says, "as if I'd heard it all before, in another life." Among the numerous
letters of appreciation she has received since the release of her albums, many describe
how her music has been used to accompany and enhance the sacred passages of birth and
death. In fact, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross herself, the world famous author of On Death and
Dying has requested that Miten and Deva Premal bring their music to accompany her passing.
"We have played for many people," says Premal, "but to play personally for
Elizabeth was something I will never forget, and to grant her wish will be an honor and a
privilege."
|
Miten
Miten grew
up in the 60's. "At that time, England was alive with rock 'n' roll music and the
sound of The Beatles. Everywhere you went it was on the street. It was a time of
innocence, a time when you could sense the possibility that life has no boundaries."
He later went on to establish a successful career for himself in the 70's and 80's as a
singer/songwriter, touring with such bands as Fleetwood Mac, Lou Reed and Ry Cooder.
During this time he released two well-received albums, one produced by The Kinks, another
by noted Los Angeles producer Bones Howe for Ariola Records. Ultimately he found the rock
'n' roll life-style unfulfilling and empty, and he began an inner search which led him
into the world of meditation. It was at this time he came upon the most important and
influential figure in his life, the rebel mystic, Osho. "After I met Osho, everything
fell into place," he says. "He gave purpose to my life, and an understanding
that divine chaos is the essence of it. My eyes were opened to new possibilities which I
continue to explore to this day." Miten proceeded to live his explorations, spending
most of his time in India at the ashram of Osho, where he eventually found a way to
express his gratitude, not surprisingly, through music.
Miten has
incorporated elements of Sufi dance, natural rhythms and ambient grooves into his music,
which combined with Premal's mantras and chants form a rich, unforgettable tapestry of
sound. His solo CDs include Blown Away, Dance of Life and Global Heart Native Soul.
"Premal and I have never thought in terms of having a 'future' making beautiful
music," he says. "Our music has always felt precious right from the start. Our
job is just to travel and share it, which was something we have found very easy to do. And
over time more and more people have come to join us in the celebration."
"The true purpose of our music," he says "is to awaken a longing in the
heart for that which is omnipresent: the experience of silence and meditation. This is the
blessing that Premal and I receive, every time we sing the mantras.
Our vision is simple - everybody with a voice can sing, and everyone with a breath in
their body can experience their divinity." |
