Acharya Mangalanada is an American who is a direct disciple of Sri Anandamayi Ma and an appointed Teacher (Acharya) of Sri Ma Anandamayi Ashram in Omkareshwar, India. He first met Ma in 1973, and since then has been living in ashrams and spiritual communities, practicing meditation and performing service to humanity. In 2001, he was sent by Ma's main Swami--Sw.Bhaskarananda-- to Omkareshwar to help start a school at the ashram. He accomplished this, and while living in the Indian Ashram, taught and administrated until 2013. From 2007, he has been commissioned by the ashram to tour Europe and the US several months a year, performing sacred music concerts and spreading the ashrams teachings. He returned to the USA in October 2013 with the encouragement to start a Center for Ma in this country. He is an internationally-acclaimed kirtan artist and meditation teacher