Seated before Baba and the mandali, Begum Akhtar sang her daily "prayer" to Baba. Its first line was: " Ai Mohabat, tere anjam pe rona aaya ." ("O Love, my tears are the result of surrendering to you!")
Tears of love and joy coursed down her cheeks as she sang. Baba gave her one of his own handkerchiefs with which to wipe her tears. He was so pleased with her singing that she sang three more songs.
Mani related:
[Akhtar] started off singing a song that she had composed just for Baba, and then continued with ghazals. As she was singing, tears were falling down her cheeks, and Baba smiled lovingly, nodding in time to the music ... I remember there was this one line in the song, "Who will listen to my prayer, who will answer my call, see to my needs," as an aspect of love. "Who is there who will listen to me, who will take heed of me, of what I say?" As she was singing this traditional song, Baba was gesturing back to her, "I will do it." Each time the song asked the question, Baba provided the answer. Baba was saying, "I am the one who listens to the language of the heart. The lover need not complain."
Baba remarked to her, "I am the Fakir of fakirs and the Emperor of emperors!"
Begum Akhtar replied, " Beyshak [Without a doubt], beyshak !"
When Baba mentioned what fee she would accept for the program at Guruprasad, she said, "I want nothing except your love."
Baba was pleased by her answer.
The tabla player, Kamat, also accompanied Begum Akhtar, as did her daughter. They had brought two large garlands, one each for the daughter and Akhtar to place around Baba's neck. But Begum Akhtar was so overcome she put both garlands around Baba!
Baba assured her, "You have no idea how happy you have made me with your singing."
She exclaimed, "I am so happy and fortunate to have done so."
While leaving she held on to Baba's feet, and with her head on his knee wept quietly for a long time.
Patting her bowed head, Baba gestured, "You are most blessed."
That afternoon, about 120 lovers from Ahmednagar came to Meherazad. Baba had instructed them beforehand that on reaching Meherazad, they should first have tea and then enter the hall. But no sooner had they got down from the buses, than Baba called them into the hall. After all were seated before him, he stated:
Since morning I have been sitting here because Begum Akhtar of Lucknow came for my darshan. Twenty-five years ago, Adi asked her to come and sing before me, but she did not come. She was most eager for my darshan and wept like a child. She stuck to my feet and would not leave me! I consoled and comforted her, embraced her and presented her with my handkerchief. She did not ask for any fee but entreated me for my love. Although she came for my darshan, still she said she wanted to sing one ghazal to please me. And I accepted her request. She then sang four ghazals instead of one, which pleased me greatly. Thus, after being near me for about two hours, she left and agreed to sing before me in Guruprasad in May, saying that for the musical feast she would serve, she wanted my love in lieu of any fee!