Dhake, Adi and Adi's friend K. G. "Anna Saheb" Gune were also present, and Kumar had arrived from Dehra Dun.1
To compensate for the "all-male" day held at Meherazad in October when Jaipuri Qawaal had come to sing, about 250 women from Ahmednagar, Poona, Bombay, Navsari and Meherabad were invited to Meherazad to celebrate Mehera's birthday. After having spent the night at various locations in Ahmednagar, the large group of women arrived by hired S.T. buses and private vehicles at 9:30 A.M. on Monday, 23 December 1963. They had been instructed not to bring their children, or any gifts for Mehera. Goher met them and related that Baba and Mehera were seated on the verandah of the main house, and that they should greet Baba first and then Mehera.
The women queued up in the garden and began taking Baba's darshan. Over the microphone, Mani announced: "Baba wants you all to forget your worries, and meet him in any way you like, but for not more than two minutes. He wants you all to be absolutely happy today." Baba embraced each woman and then passed her to Mehera, who was seated on a chair to his right. After embracing Mehera, each walked into the sitting room, Baba's bedroom and then out into the garden once again.
Afterwards, Baba signaled that he would come and sit in the hall. Holding onto Goher and Mehera, Baba rose from his chair and slowly stepped down from the verandah. Walking seemed an ordeal for him, and he went one step at a time. Maharani Shantadevi walked beside him. Mehera held his arm, and the other women followed them to the hall. Mani took a film of it.
Baba sat in his chair in mandali hall and looked cheerful. Mehera sat on his right on the floor, and Mani spoke on the microphone. Just then, a group of women from Poona who had chartered a bus arrived. They embraced Baba and Mehera. Baba asked about their health and sleep.
Afterwards, he asked Lata Limaye to sing. She sang the two songs for which she won a gold medal in Delhi, and Baba embraced her twice for her efforts. Usha and Kokila then sang. Subhadra, accompanying herself on the harmonium, sang a new song composed by her husband Madhusudan for the occasion. The words were so beautiful Mehera began weeping, and Baba lovingly pulled out his handkerchief and wiped her tears.
Footnotes
- 1.Anna Saheb Gune rented quarters at Viloo Villa.