Sri M—spiritual guide, social reformer and educationist—was born as Mumtaz Ali on November 6, 1949 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He travelled to the Himalayas at the age of 19, met saints and sages, and eventually gained his spiritual fulfillment under the guidance of Maheshwarnath Babaji. He is married and has two children. His autobiography, Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master—A Yogi's Autobiography, is a bestseller. Based in Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh (a three-hour drive from Bangalore), he leads a simple life—teaching and guiding the Satsang Foundation and Manav Ekta Mission.