Which Indian classical musician composed the raga Priyadarshini as a musical tribute on the death of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi?

Introduction / Context:
This question connects Indian classical music with political history. After the assassination of Indira Gandhi, some musicians created special ragas in her memory. The raga Priyadarshini is one such tribute, and knowing its composer is a useful piece of cultural general knowledge.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are told that the raga Priyadarshini was composed on the death of Indira Gandhi.
• The options list four famous Indian classical musicians from different traditions.
• The task is to identify which one created this raga as a tribute.

Concept / Approach:
To answer, you should connect the name of the raga with the musician most often associated with it in concerts, articles, and exam questions. Priyadarshini is repeatedly linked to a sarod maestro who composed it as a homage to Indira Gandhi.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is a legendary sarod player from the Senia Bangash gharana.Step 2: He composed a number of new ragas, including Priyadarshini, as a tribute to Indira Gandhi, and Kamal Shree, as a tribute to Rajiv Gandhi.Step 3: Pandit Ravi Shankar is primarily known for the sitar and for popularizing Indian classical music in the West, but not for composing raga Priyadarshini.Step 4: Ustad Bismillah Khan, a shehnai maestro, and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, a vocal legend, are not associated with creating raga Priyadarshini either.Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.

Verification / Alternative check:
Reports on commemorative concerts and standard GK sources note that Amjad Ali Khan performed raga Priyadarshini as a tribute to Indira Gandhi and that he himself composed it in her memory. This confirms the association beyond doubt.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Pandit Ravi Shankar: Although he created some ragas and is extremely famous, he is not credited with composing Priyadarshini.Ustad Bismillah Khan: Known for the shehnai and classical performances at important national events, but not for this particular raga.Pandit Bhimsen Joshi: A great vocalist, mainly celebrated for khayal singing and bhajans, not for composing this raga.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners pick a more commonly known name like Ravi Shankar or Bismillah Khan simply due to familiarity, without recalling the specific raga link.Another error is mixing up Priyadarshini with other commemorative ragas or awards that carry similar names.

Final Answer:
The raga Priyadarshini was composed by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan in memory of Indira Gandhi.