(November 2, 2025) Debaditya Chaudhury, Managing Director of Chowman, Oudh 1590, Chapter 2, and Chaudhury & Company, has mastered the art of straddling the two worlds of music and hospitality with aplomb. The restaurateur and musician, blends creativity and business acumen with ease. From co-founding the iconic Lakkhichhara band to revolutionising Kolkata’s dining scene through his homegrown restaurant chains, Chaudhury’s story is one of rhythm and growth. Having performed across Malaysia, Singapore, Southeast Asia, the UK, and the US including the Bay Area, Atlanta, Ontario, San Diego, and New Jersey, he has carried the sound of Bengal to global stages. And it was during these travels, while absorbing cultures and cuisines worldwide, that the seeds of his culinary empire were sown that now has 40 outlets nationwide.
Born and raised in Kolkata in a traditional Bengali household where food was at the heart of family life, Debaditya Chaudhury grew up steeped in both melody and flavour. Music and Bengal have an inextricable connection. Music is integral to the state’s cultural identity. For most Bengali students, college life and music go hand in hand, and for Chaudhury, this harmony shaped the direction of his life.
Music as the first calling
Debaditya completed his schooling at South Point in Kolkata and went on to study commerce at the city’s St. Xavier’s College, later pursuing a degree at IISWBM. “Music was my first love, and during my late teens, I co-founded the Bangla rock band Lakkhichhara, which deeply influenced my creative side and exposed me to diverse experiences and cultures through travel,” he tells Global Indian.
His professional career, hence, took an unconventional route. “I started with a passion for music, touring across India and abroad with the Lakkhichhara band in the early 2000s. The exposure to global food and culture during those tours sparked my interest in hospitality. In 2010, I took the plunge and started Chowman as a small 350 sq. ft. outlet in Kolkata, initially handling everything from door-to-door deliveries to curating the menu personally,” he adds.
Chowman, Mira Road, Mumbai
Over time, he launched Oudh 1590 and Chapter 2, striving to bring unique dining concepts to the city. Building these brands over the years instilled resilience, people management skills, and a passion for creating lasting experiences.
Lakkhichhara: The sound of a generation
Lakkhichhara was born purely out of his team’s passion for music during his college years. “We wanted to carve a niche for Bengali rock, fusing classic influences with contemporary sounds and lyrics reflecting urban life in Bengal. For me, the band has always been about creativity, brotherhood, and connecting with an audience on an emotional level. Since the inception of Lakkhichhara, the journey has been one of rhythm, emotion, and deep connection,” he says.
Over the years, the Lakkhichhara band has had the privilege of performing in several countries, where they found audiences who embraced their music with open hearts. “Touring with Lakkhichhara gave me the chance to perform before diverse audiences and absorb global cultures from Southeast Asia to the UK. Performing abroad was always a learning experience. It taught me adaptability and fuelled the dream to introduce global culinary standards back home,” he says.
Lakkhicchara during a performance
From rock stages to restaurant tables
The Chowman founder established the brand in 2010, inspired by his love for Chinese cuisine and the desire to democratise fine dining, offering authentic food in a comfortable, neighbourhood space at accessible prices. “I wanted to blend the essence of Asian flavours with a local touch, ensuring quality by sourcing ingredients and ideas directly from China and Southeast Asia. Our focus on consistency, innovation, and customer-centric service has contributed to Chowman’s growth from one outlet to a national brand in more than 40 locations across Kolkata, Bangalore, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, and Mumbai,” he adds. He and his team recently celebrated Chowman’s 15th anniversary.
Inspiration, lessons, and leadershi
Debaditya Chaudhury draws inspiration from his family, colleagues, and the guests they serve every day. His biggest motivator has always been the pursuit of excellence, be it in music or hospitality. “One life lesson I value is perseverance. Setbacks are inevitable, but staying consistent and believing in your vision always pays off,” he says.
His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is straightforward. “Entrepreneurship is about risk, dedication, and long hours; it’s not always a glamorous journey. My advice is to identify a gap, understand your market, and remain flexible. Value your team and don’t be afraid to innovate or take failures in stride; every setback is a lesson that makes your foundation stronger,” he says. “The journey is ongoing and every day brings new challenges and possibilities. I am grateful for the trust of our customers and the hard work of my team; everything we’ve achieved is because of their faith and support,” he adds.
Chowman Special Noodles
Future plans
The restaurateur envisions scaling his brands to new cities across India with over 100 outlets on the map. Debaditya Chaudhury also hopes to keep experimenting with new culinary ideas, and perhaps even facilitate more cultural exchanges through food and music, the two passions that continue to define his remarkable journey as a musician-entrepreneur.
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