Narendra Modi greeting Lata Mangeshkar in Pune (November 2014)
Iconic singer Lata Mangeshkar has said that there is no political tenor to a ceremony being held today at which she will be honoured by Narendra Modi, the prime ministerial candidate of the BJP.
"I don't belong to any party, am not interested in politics. Politics and music are very different," the 84-year-old said to NDTV.
For the 51st anniversary of her famous song, "Ae mere watan ke logon," she will be present at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai, where a huge audience is expected sing the patriotic anthem. (
100,000 expected to sing 'Ae mere watan ke logon')
Mr Modi will congratulate her on the impact her song has made.
In November, Ms Mangeskhar entered a political controversy when she said that "Everyone in India wants to see Narendra Modi as prime minister." (
Lata Mangeshkar roots for Narendra Modi)
The Congress party said it was deeply disappointed by her endorsement of the opposition's presumptive prime minister.
Ms Mangeshkar, christened "the Nightingale of India" by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, first sang "Ae mere watan ke logon," composed by
C Ramachandra and written by Kavi Pradeep on January 27, 1963, in honour of the men who lost their lives fighting for India in the war between India and China.
Soldiers who have received bravery awards and their families are expected to attend this evening's event.