Did Balabuva's performance lead to the Ram Navami festival becoming a permanent tradition in Shirdi?

Yes, Balabuva Satarkar's performance was a catalyst for the Ram Navami festival becoming an established annual event. While his Kirtan was described as a novel and beloved event, Chapter 6 clarifies what happened afterward to make it permanent. Sometime after Balabuva's visit, another devotee, Dasganu, came to Shirdi. He specifically prayed to Sai Baba and took the steps to have the annual festival formally established. From that point on, the Ram Navami birth festival was celebrated every year with great pomp, including a feast for everyone, joyous crowds, and music, solidifying its place as a major tradition in Shirdi.