Saidarbar is starting a new page titled ‘In the days of Sai’ as told by those of the devotees who have seen and experienced Sai while in flesh and blood. The contents of this page will provide a first hand insight in to those good old days seen and penned down by the most fortunate lot of the people who could directly come across the great Saint. In this context, it is requested of the Sai devotees to kindly send us the valuable treasure like Diary notings (Xerox copies), rare photographs (scanned), and any other items which can be classified under this category maintained by their Grand parents and close relatives. These articles will once again put back the clock and help Sai devotees in giving a feel and glimpse of the bygone golden days..

Kalemama's meeting with Sadguru Sai Baba

by Niket Kale

Kalemama or Ramchandra Bapuji Kale was born in Kolhapur, a city of Maratha Rulers. His father Bapuji Kale was a Minister in the personal court of Maharaja of Kolhapur. Kalemama, born in such a influential family, of links with the Royal families of Kolhapur, was ought to receive the best during his childhood and youth and he was sent to Bombay to graduate in the faculty of Civil Engineering. It was during the British rule in India, holding a graduation degree in Engineering was a promising career, and alike the expectations Kalemama later served as Chief Executive Officer of the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation, also as Secretary of Dhule Municipal Corporation, State Engineer at Akkalkot Sansthan and many a few other places until he met Meher Baba and came to Meherabad for a final stay, which lasted until the 16th of September 1954, when he rested in peace. Kalemama met Shri Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi, which changed the course of his life. After Sai Baba dropped His physical body in 1918, Kalemama met Meher Baba at Ahmednagar in 1926 and his solitary life ended at Meher Baba's feet as his wife Mrs. Janki, or more often referred as Mrs. Kalemama had already passed away in 1932, at Meherabad. Meher Baba had included her name in the list of 120 dear departed souls whom He paid a homage, as a token of love and gratitude. It was a jesture of love for their surrenderance and unquestionably holding faith in Meher Baba, during the hilly walks of life. It was on the 16ht of September 1954 that Kalemama passed away at Meherabad, Kalemama's son Murli was staying at Jabalpur, to prectice Homeopathy, as permitted by Meher Baba.

Kalemama had a well settled family. One of the Kalemama's daughter's was married to Dr. Bhadbhade of Indore and another was married to Rao Saheb Pandit, an Eminent Educationist and founder of the "Sanjeevan Vidhyalaya" at Panchgani, an institution that has now gained paramount importance in the field of imparting education in various faculties. Murli's elder brother Shreedhar or more frequently called Babu was also at Panchgani and Babu's wife Nirmala was Matron of Central Jail Jabalpur. Kalemama was one of those very rare and fortunate persons who had the opportunity to meet Shri Sadguru Sai Baba, Shri Sadguru Narayan Maharaj and Shri Sadguru Upasni Maharaj. It was during the years 1908 to 1909, Kalemama was supervising the construction work of Burhanpur Tapti Mill at Burhanpur. The site was close to the Railway station and one day one of his friends informed Kalemama that Shri Sadguru Narayan Maharaj was going to Khandwa that day and would be boarding the train from the Burhanpur Railway station. Kalemama with his friends went to the Station and had Sadguru Narayan Maharaj's darshan. Later from April 1910 to May 1911 Kalemama was appointed Secretary of Pandharpur Municipal Corporation. And during this time, the glory of Sai Baba, had spread throughout Maharastra and many a Govt. officers and learned persons were devoted to Him. At Pandharpur Mr. Rale and Mr. Patwardhan were disciples of Shri Sadguru Sai Baba. They requested Kalemama to come to Shirdi for Sai Baba's darshan. The above three along with Justice Hatyangadi of Pandharpur made their way to Shirdi and met Sai Baba and attended the two days function during last week of December 1910. At Shirdi some Govt. Officers and some of the prominent solicitors of Bombay had also come to attend the gathering, as during the winter vacations it was convenient to make a pleasure trip, for the families. Until Sai Baba's darshan Kalemama had never heard of Shirdi and he felt very happy to attend the function at the place.

This time Kalemama stayed at Shirdi for two days and returned back to Pandharpur. After sometime Kalemama's elder brother Krishnaji or rather known as Anna Kale's first wife died of Plague, on 1st February 1911, at Solapur. To find peace after the loss Anna ji came to Kalemama for a stay at Pandharpur, expecting a change. Meanwhile one of Kalemama's close relations Justice Noolkar had taken voluntary leave from his job and was staying at Shirdi in service of Shri Sai Baba. Justice Noolkar's friend Mr. Bhate had also resigned from his job and was serving Sai Baba at Shirdi for some time. Kalemama received a letter from Justice Noolkar proposing marriage negotiations regarding Bhate's daughter who was slightly over age, and invited Kalemama to bring his elder brother Krishna ji or Anna to Shirdi for Sai Baba's darshan and to approve their daughter for Anna ji's re-marriage. Kalemama along with his elder brother, thus went to shirdi perhaps in Feb or March 1911 and met Sai Baba which later changed his life. On reaching Shirdi Kalemama with his brother Anna boarded their luggage at a suitable place and walked towards the Mosque in which Shri Sai Baba was staying and as it must have been during the afternoon, Shri Sai Baba was alone inside. Kalemama and Anna went to Sai Baba and bowed down to Him in reverence and Sai Baba asked for two rupees. Kalemama had only two rupees in his pocket which he gave to Sai Baba. On receiving the money Sai Baba further asked for four rupees and Kalemama had no money in his pocket, therefore, while handing over the keys to their suitcase, he asked Anna to go to the place of their stay and bring the money desired by Sai Baba. Kalemama further expressed in his notes that during this meeting Sai Baba was very pleased to meet them and made a significant remark. During discussion while waiting for the money and Anna ji's return, Sai Baba said to Kalemama in marathi "You are amongst us", " When you intend to come again". To this Kalemama replied instantly " When ever You may kindly brings us again ". Although by this time the four rupees desired by Sai Baba were brought and given to Him by Anna, both stayed in the company of Sai Baba for some time and returned back to their place of stay. Kalemama felt amused over the peculiar expression of Sai Baba " You are amongst us" and could not gather any significance from this conversations, until later discovered. It was, while pondering over the words of Sai Baba, Kalemama resumed his work and served for a few years at Akkalkote until 1917, when he left the job and decided to move to Kolhapur. While during his journey to Kolhapur he remembered that he was near to the place of Shri Sadguru Narayan Maharaj, and felt the immense desire to meet him. Kalemama got down at Kedgaon to meet Shri Sadguru Narayan Maharaj at Kedgaon-bet. Shri Sadguru Narayan Maharaj had constructed a temple of Shri Lord "Dattatreya", at Kedgaon-bet and it was supposed to be very auspicious for one, to have the opportunity to worship the deity, and wash the feet of the statue. Althought for this purpose a due permission of Shri Narayan Maharaj's, was always needed. Kalemama went to the temple and thus wishing to pray at the feet of the statue, requested Shri Narayan Maharaj to kindly permit him to perform the worship. Shri Narayan Maharaj asked Kalemama if he was a brahmin, to which Kalemama replied in positive and told his `gotra' and `pravar'. On satisfying the Sadguru's quarries Kalemama was permitted by Shri Narayan Maharaj to wash the feet of the deity . He further stayed at the Kedgaon ashram fro one day and after this one days brake journey at Kedgaon-bet, Kalemama proceeded his journey to towards Kolhapur. Once from Ahmednagar Kalemama was to make his journey to Dhule. On remembering Sakori, as he had never had the opportunity to have Shri Sadguru Upasni Maharaj's darshan, requested Meher Baba if he was to return next morn­ing he may kindly be permitted to also go to Sakori and to have Shri Upasni Maharaj's darshan. Meher Baba was kind enough to permit him, thus Kalemama proceeded to Sakori via Shirdi having darshan of Shri Sai Baba's Samadhi and met Shri Upasni Maharaj. The very next year while Meher Baba was at Nasik in December 1928, Kalemama along with his elder son Shreedhar or Babu decided to go to Nasik to meet Baba as it was learnt that He is at Nasik. From Dhule they boarded a train and reached Nasik at 4 a.m. in the morning and went to one of Kalemama's friend Vi­nayak Dhamankar's residence. At the day break they went to search for the place of Baba's stay at Nasik and to their surprise were informed by the gate man that Meher Baba and the Mandli had left the previous evening for Maherabad. It was around 7 a.m. and Kalemama and his son Babu were in utter disappointment to have found Baba already left Nasik. They decided to leave Nasik as it was early in the morning so to reach Nagar at the earliest to go to Meherabad. Kalemama thought of requesting one of his friends R. D. Karmarkar who was an Engineer at Nasik to kindly take them both in his car up to Manmad immediately, so they may find some train to Ahmednagar and reach Meherabad by same day afternoon. On reaching Karmakar's house immediately and on making such a proposal it was surprising that his friend agreed instantaneously and suggested that instead of going to the Manmad Rly. Station they may go to Yewala station which would be easier as he had some construction work going on at Yewala which he would be able to supervise.

Thus in Karmarkar's car Kalemama, his son Babu and one Mr. Dhumal who was a noted Advocate and Chairman of the Local Board School proceeded to Yewala. While talking to each other in the car Karmarkar's friend Dhumal came to know that Kalemama was going for Meher Baba's darshan. Dhumal was himself a disciple of Shri Sai Baba and suggested that they may go to Shirdi, take their Lunch and then proceed further, and thus every one reached Shirdi first. After the lunch at Shirdi and darshan of Sai Baba's Samadhi. Kalemama felt that they have come so near to Sakori which was just a few miles and they should go to Sakori for Upasni Maharaj's darshan. As agreed all went to Sakori and met Shri Sadguru Upasni Maharaj. Later on reaching Meherabad Kalemama came to know that Meher Baba had gone to North India and the Gatemen at Nasik did not have correct information. During 1928 or 1929 Shri Sadguru Upasni Maharaj came to Dhule and stayed for three days at Advocate Madhav Rao Apte's house and Kalemama and family had the opportunity to meet the Master every evening at the Apte's residence. Later also while Kalemama was frequently coming to Nagar in connection with some of the court cases Shri Sadguru Upasni Maharaj was staying at the "Khushroo Quarters" and on two different occasions Kalemama met Maharaj and had His darshan. During one of these few darshan's of Shri Sadguru Upasni Maharaj Kalemama received a coconut from Maharaj and one coconut from Meher Baba with is still with our family. After Shri Sadguru Sai Baba dropped His physical body, Kalemama met Meher Baba in 1926 and devoted his life to Meher Baba, until he passed away at Meher Baba's Ashram on 16th of September 1954. Kalemama's son Murli lived with Meher Baba as a close mandli and later was permitted to come to Jabalpur.

The Kale family have designed a web site www.trustmeher.com for imparting information on Meher Baba and the Perfect Masters, which can be seen.