Could you tell me about Damu Anna's background and how he demonstrated his devotion to Sai Baba before the whole cotton business thing?

Certainly. As detailed in Chapter 25, Damu Anna was a wealthy Kasar, or bronze-smith, from Ahmednagar who was a dedicated devotee of Sai Baba. One of his most prominent acts of devotion was his participation in the annual Ram Navami festival in Shirdi. For many years, he upheld a vow to provide one of the two large, new flags that were carried in a grand procession and tied to the ends of the Masjid. This was a regular vow carried out with uninterrupted love. Furthermore, the text mentions that Damu Anna, who had two wives but no children, was blessed with sons after receiving Sai's grace, highlighting another aspect of his deep connection and faith.