travel

Travel during Durga Puja is strictly for concerts: Debaditya Chaudhury

The restaurateur and Lakkhichara musician prefers celebrating Puja in Kolkata over the US, making every moment unforgettable

For Debaditya Chaudhury, staying in Kolkata during Durga Puja is essential, not just because of his musical commitments but also due to his entrepreneurial responsibilities. Alongside his career as a musician — as part of Bengali band Lakkhichhara — Debaditya runs several popular restaurant chains, including Chowman, Oudh 1590, and Chapter 2. “During Durga Puja, there’s an unimaginable rush at our restaurants," he explained. Since there’s a surge in business, he ensures his presence in the city, sometimes even visiting the office to support his team during the busy period. For him, experiencing Durga Puja in Kolkata is irreplaceable, and he feels it’s never wise to celebrate the festival outside the city.

While he prefers staying in Kolkata, Debaditya and his band have performed in various cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi, earlier this year. He shared that while performing in different cities during Durga Puja offers a unique experience, nothing compares to the vibrancy of Kolkata’s celebrations. Reflecting on past Puja tours, he recalled performing across eight cities in the USA — from New York to Los Angeles. “But, travel during Durga Puja is strictly for concerts,” he said.  

— Urvashi Bhattacharya