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Blending Chinese folk instrumentation and cuisine

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Press Trust of India Kolkata
In the first music cafe themed on China in city, a leading Bangla Band founder has introduced typical folk tunes from the Schezwan province wafting in the air of the outlet adorned with the famed Terracotta Army Museum models.

This is the first Chinese restaurant themed on indigenous, typical Chinese flute tunes played by Mandarin instrumentalists live. The ambience is in sync with the interiors of the Chinese bell, laughing Buddha and the replica of the 2,220 year old Terracota Army brigade, 2 km east of The Tomb of Qin Shihuang, known as the First Emperor.

Emperor Qin, from whom China gets its name, ordered the creation of this model army which now finds its place in the outlet.
 

"We will not tinker with the basic theme, we will not play any other genre of music. We will not introduce any decor which will waver from Chinese stereotypes, like the models. The chairs have Mandarin inscriptions all over. And this has become a favourite hub for all prominent band members and singers and artistes," Lakhichhara founder and Chowman spearhead Debaditya Choudhury said.

New age singer Anupam Roy, harping on the co-relation between food and music, said, "The bonhomie between Bengalees and food go back to ages. I am inspired by the song Ami Sri Sri Bhajohori Manna' by Manna Dey. I grew up listening to this song several times."

"Would love to pen another lyric on the tryst between an average Bengali and Chinese cuisine, from street food to standalone outlets," Anupam said.

Lakhichara frontman Gourab Chattopadhyay said the Chowman eateries proved a perfect spot for jamming session before any recording or big performance.

"We make one exception by allowing other genres of music to float in the air during those sessions," DEbaditya said.

The Chinese outlet organized a week-long festival of giant lobsters, with all ingredients imported from the mainland, till July 11.

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First Published: Jul 11 2013 | 10:15 PM IST

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