Baba commented: "The pressure of my Universal work is so much that I have not rested for two nights. I am not in a mood for discourses, though a great number of my lovers have come to see me from distant parts of India. The next three days will be spent mostly in giving darshan in the mornings, and in the afternoon today and tomorrow, all will hear Begum Akhtar sing."
Two large groups from Hamirpur came, one by train and one in a private bus. They were staying in a school and would walk to Guruprasad singing songs in praise of Baba. It was a remarkable sight to witness. These poor villagers from Hamirpur were proclaiming the advent of the Avatar to the urban public of Poona.
When they came to Guruprasad, Baba embraced each of them. Lata Limaye sang a few ghazals, and she sang so well that even Begum Akhtar, who was sitting next to her, applauded and patted her on the back.
Baba asked Lata, "Would you be willing to stay with Begum Akhtar for six months and learn ghazals?"
To such a privilege she eagerly agreed.
In the afternoon Begum Akhtar sang for nearly three hours. She was accompanied by Golwalkar on the sarangi, and Muhammad Ahmed on the tabla. All were formidable musicians, and it was a special event to hear them.
Before they started, while they were tuning their instruments, Baba remarked, "The original naad [celestial music or sound] does not need such tuning of tal [rhythm] or soor [tune]. It is continuous. Saints and Sadgurus hear that. All worldly music is only the seventh shadow of that original naad. Once you hear that you forget all."
The program was marvelous, and Baba was extremely happy. Guruprasad was overflowing for the recital.
Baba allowed the women mandali to listen from behind the door, and often during the singing, he would turn to them and gesture with a radiant expression, "What a magnificent voice she has!"
Later, in her Family Letter (of 12 June 1963) , Mani wrote about the renowned singer: "The charm and warmth of her personality added to the richness of her songs. Underneath the serene clarity of her voice lay a storm of feeling, and she skirted the musical precipices with intoxicating ease."
Baba told Begum Akhtar, "A voice such as you have is very, very rare."
She bowed and said, "It is all your grace."
Upon completion of the musical program, everyone came forward to Baba, kissed his hand and left the hall.