Baba continued to listen to bhajans and ghazals for some time, and Padri took many photographs of Baba's expressions while listening to the music. The women companions were listening behind a curtain in another room. Baba was in such a good mood, he even accompanied the group by playing the dholak (drum) and finge-cymbals.
Gadekar wanted to tell Baba about Khak Saheb's recent death, but because of the New Life restrictions against mentioning any such Old Life topic, he could not do so. But he hit upon a stratagem by telling Madhusudan to sing the particular ghazal to Baba that Khak had written before he passed away.
Madhusudan and the group continued to sing, and at one point sang the particular ghazal of Khak Saheb's that Gadekar had requested. Hearing just two lines, Baba stopped Madhusudan and became quiet for some moments. He looked as if he were somewhere else, far away. As Baba sat absolutely still with a pensive expression, everything in the world seemed to have stopped for the moment.
After a few moments, Baba rubbed his face and eyes, and gestured, "He [meaning Khak] has come to me."
Although Baba had not mentioned Khak Saheb by name, the Poona group knew whom he meant. Madhusudan and the group resumed their singing, and sang the entire ghazal. Baba seemed to be in a serious mood as he listened.
"Who has composed this ghazal?" Baba asked.
Gadekar replied, "Khak Saheb."
"When did he write it?"
"Just a few days before he died," Gadekar replied solemnly. This was the news he wished to convey to Baba.
Madhusudan and the group then sang the ghazal Ghani had composed. Ghani's ghazal was of a complaining tone, but in a humorous vein. No sooner were two lines sung than Baba's mood changed to one of joviality.
Baba laughed and gestured, " Mota Doka !" meaning Big Head (one of Baba's nicknames for Ghani).1
Baba had earlier indicated his desire to keep Madhusudan and Narendra with him for a few days, but on that day he chose instead young Pratap Ahir, 15. Baba instructed him to return to Mahabaleshwar in a week after obtaining permission from his school principal, even though school was out for Christmas holidays. The Poona group left for their homes the same day. Mehera's birthday had given them their first opportunity to sing before Baba.
While leaving, Gadekar was ecstatic. Pratap describes: "Gadekar was a high government officer, but he was so happy that one of the members of his Poona group was going to stay with Baba, he was literally dancing on the road like a child. That was his happiness."
Footnotes
- 1.Mota Doka had a double meaning: it not only referred to Ghani's disproportionately large head, but also to his sharp intellect. Other nicknames Baba used for Ghani were Ganpati (God of Wit & Wisdom) and Pendya (Krishna's favorite disciple). Ghani in turn called Baba Sab Rangsha (Having all colors) and Hyrani (Troublemaker [a play on words on the word Irani]).