Born in 1971, Bangalore, India, Kalyan S Rathore is the youngest of a large family. Doted by parents and older siblings, he grew up in an atmosphere where creativity was a reward in itself. His father was an aeronautical engineer who engaged him into scientific discussions and model making from an early age. Growing up in the pre-cable TV era,young Rathore had his share of playing with ants, butterflies and lizards in the green surroundings of his suburban home. At that time he was sure that he wanted to become a Doctor studying ants and their social systems.

Unfortunately, school happened. Reluctant as ever, he was inducted into pre-schooling. One strong memory of how some teachers attitudes can sometimes break a childs personality comes to light in the anecdote he recalls. The class was asked to draw 4 squares, and colour each of them with a different colouring pencil.
Not having taken his colouring pencils along, he promptly shaded the 4 squares in different hatching with just a black pencil. However, the teacher, far from appreciating the ingenuity, punished him not only for having forgotten to bring his colouring pencils, but also for having submitted a different way out, over and above.

Understandably, he disliked schooling for years to come. However, when in high school, physics and geometry became his favorite subjects and that interest ultimately inducted itself to all other subjects.

Trained to become an industrial designer, he designed various products that include contemporary furniture and bio-mechanical equipments.
Furthermore, parallel to all this he was always falling back on his column writings, paintings, sculpture and compassionate work towards animals.

He ran his own Design Company successfully until some 5 years back, when he woke up one day and wondered if all this humdrum was really taking him somewhere? .. Thats when he decided to consolidate his business and follow his passion.

Rathore believes in creating works from the elusive unconscious corners of the brain. Most of the concepts he develops are the images that pop-up during REM sleep or in a meditative state. This gives his works the fresh perspective of an artist who brings different life experiences into his works. The trick, says he is in ones ability to be oblivious to the surroundings or to soak in the splendorous reality all at the switch of a button.

A passionate animal lover, he works towards their welfare contributing time whenever possible. His short video story featured on CNN-IBN, about the senseless cruelty meted out by the authorities, to stray dogs in Bangalore, won him an award and citation.
His series Bulls done in 2007 was a result of his small expedition into northern Karnataka, where he met local farmers and livestock owners to understand an irony. Revered as bulls were on the one hand, their story of life was one of insensitive work-load and eventual abandoning or slaughter under inhumane conditions.

When a rural school approached him to conduct a painting/art workshop for their children, Rathore grabbed the opportunity just to be with children.
His passion to experience the creative journey of others, as of himself, led to other workshops for grown up professionals from various fields. Titled the mechanism of creativity he conducted a six-week program at an art institute in Bangalore.

When asked to speak about his art, he says Whatever there is to be said about art is already said by someone in the past I paint when words fail me. So there you go. Thats why I am at loss of words to speak about my works...but then elaborates...Except to say that I push the images in my head further and further, until they copy themselves on to the canvas. Then if I were to look at them and ask them to communicate, they stand in mute defiance. Like a naughty boy with a trick up his sleeve. It makes me happy though. As if my work is conniving with the person within me, and keeping me out of the loop for good reason.