Deva Premal, a New Age vocalist/multi-instrumentalist known for her contemporary versions of ancient Tibetan and Sanskrit mantras, began chanting the sacred Gayatri Mantra daily at age 5. ∙ The Essence, Premal’s 1988 solo debut, sold nearly 1 million copies and helped introduce Sanskrit mantras to a Western audience. ∙ In the early ’90s, she began a musical and personal partnership with ex-blues rocker-turned-spiritual musician Andy “Miten” Desmond. ∙ Cher is a fan and has included Premal’s recording of “Gayatri Mantra” in the set list of her touring shows since 2001. ∙ During a 2002 Unity in Duality conference in Munich, Premal and Miten gave both a public concert and private performance for the Dalai Lama. ∙ She collaborated with the famed Gyuto Monks of Tibet for the 2010 benefit album Tibetan Mantras for Turbulent Times.