TLDR: In this behind-the-scenes feature, Jonatan discusses the technical and artistic process of creating the music video for Deva Premal's "Ide Were Were (Revisited)." The production involved deconstructing a digital painting by artist Luis Tamani, simulating firefly animation in Blender to create a mystical atmosphere, and texturing organic elements like plants and leaves to build an immersive virtual world. The project represents a family collaboration spanning decades, with Jonatan being the son of longtime collaborators Rishi and Talasi, and demonstrates how contemporary animation and sacred music can merge.
What Is the Creative Vision Behind This Music Video?
The "Ide Were Were (Revisited)" video emerges from a specific artistic intent: transforming a static painting into an interactive, breathing digital environment. The foundational element is a "magical painting" by artist Luis Tamani—a work rich in detail and spiritual resonance. Rather than simply displaying the painting as a static backdrop, the production team chose to deconstruct it, breaking down its individual visual components to build what Jonatan describes as "a virtual world that we could experience" (1s). This approach honors the original artwork while creating new possibilities for viewer immersion.
The philosophy underlying this creative choice reflects a broader trend in spiritual music production: moving beyond traditional performance videos toward environments that invite the viewer to step into a contemplative space. By extracting and recombining visual elements from the source painting, the video maintains artistic continuity while adding layers of animation and digital craft.
How Does Animation Enhance the Spiritual Atmosphere?
A central technique in the video is the simulation of fireflies. Jonatan describes this choice plainly: "And in that world, of course, we needed to simulate some fireflies. So, I did that in Blender" (10s-14s). Fireflies serve multiple functions in this context—they are living creatures associated with bioluminescence, wonder, and the hidden magic of natural systems. Their animated presence "lighting up the painting" creates what the creator identifies as a "mystical mood" (22s-24s).
The use of Blender, a professional open-source 3D animation and rendering software, indicates a technical depth to the production. Simulating fireflies is not a simple overlay effect; it requires modeling the creatures' movement patterns, light emission, and interaction with the environment. The choice to include them suggests an intention to anchor the video in natural observation—fireflies behave according to real physical principles, even as they appear in a digitally constructed world.
What Role Does Botanical Imagery Play in the Video's Design?
Beyond fireflies, the video incorporates extensive plant and leaf texturing. Jonatan explains: "I went on to texture some growing plants with the leaves from the painting" (24s-30s). This detail reveals a layering approach to visual storytelling. The original Luis Tamani painting itself contains botanical elements, and rather than leaving them as flat 2D imagery, the production team added three-dimensional texture and dimension to these plants.
The emphasis on growing plants—described explicitly as "growing" rather than static—reinforces themes of emergence, vitality, and natural unfolding. This aligns conceptually with the album title "The Inevitable Blossoming of the Heart," suggesting that the visual language of the video mirrors the album's thematic concerns about organic spiritual unfoldment.
What Technical Layers Comprise This Production?
The video represents a convergence of multiple technical disciplines:
- Digital painting deconstruction: Taking the original Tamani artwork and isolating its constituent parts
- 3D animation: Creating firefly simulations in Blender with realistic light and movement behavior
- Texture mapping: Adding depth and dimension to botanical elements extracted from the source painting
- Lighting design: Using the animated fireflies to illuminate the scene and establish emotional tone
- Composite integration: Assembling these disparate elements into a cohesive final video
Jonatan acknowledges the complexity of the work by noting, "There are so many different elements going on in this video" (32s-35s). Rather than present this as overwhelming, he invites viewer engagement: "I would love if there are particular scenes that you enjoy and you're curious about, post a comment and I will reply with the video" (35s-43s). This invitation suggests both pride in the work and a pedagogical openness—a willingness to explain specific scenes or techniques to those interested in the creative process.
Why Does the Family Connection Matter in This Collaboration?
The description of this project emphasizes that Jonatan is the son of Rishi and Talasi, longtime collaborators with Deva Premal and Miten. Rishi served as producer of "The Essence" and played drums as a band member of the Temple Band during years of touring. Talasi is described as a "wonderful Heart Dance leader." The production description states: "This family connection makes it especially sweet for us to be able to work with Jonatan now—having seen him grow up and blossom into this inspired, kind and creative human who creates awesome nature and adventure sports videos, animation videos, photos, design artwork, plays music and sings and simply makes the world a better place through his loving vibe."
This context reveals that the collaboration is not merely professional but deeply relational. Jonatan represents a generation of creators shaped by decades of exposure to spiritual practice, sacred music, and contemplative community. His multidisciplinary skill set—spanning video, animation, photography, design, and music—reflects a holistic creative approach consistent with the values of the Deva Premal and Miten community.
Where to Go From Here
Viewers interested in learning more about the production can engage directly with Jonatan through the comment section on the behind-the-scenes video. The full music video for "Ide Were Were (Revisited)" is available on YouTube, and the audio version can be accessed through music streaming platforms. Those interested in Deva Premal and Miten's broader body of work can explore their touring schedule, the Gayatri Sangha app for guided practice, and their newsletter for updates on new releases and spiritual gatherings.
