I didn’t like math when I was in school. It used to scare me. I still remember staring at endless numbers and formulas, completely lost. But life has a way of surprising you. I soon realized that math and art weren’t enemies; they could actually work together to create something extraordinary. That’s when I came across Kalyan Rathore, a sculptor from Bengaluru who has turned this very idea into reality. Rathore discovered that patterns, symmetry, and geometry in nature could be expressed through numbers, and today, he transforms these mathematical concepts into Guinness World Record-breaking sculptures that inspire awe among audiences around the world.

A Childhood Shaped by Curiosity

Growing up in Bengaluru in a family of engineers, Rathore was surrounded by blueprints, calculations, and machines. Yet, his first playground was far from a laboratory; it was the scraps of paper scattered across his childhood home. Folding paper into spirals, lattices, and geometric shapes, he explored patterns found in seashells, leaves, and tree branches. For young Kalyan, these playful experiments were more than a hobby; they were the first seeds of a lifelong fascination with the mathematics of nature. Even in these early days, he noticed a connection between what he saw in the natural world and the equations he encountered in school. 

From Industrial Designer to Sculptor

Although Rathore trained as an industrial designer, he felt a creative pull that could not be satisfied by conventional design work. The precision and planning of his profession clashed with the boundless creativity he craved. In a bold move, he left the safety of a traditional career to follow his calling: creating sculptures inspired by the patterns of nature. Without formal training in fine arts, Rathore turned to what had always inspired him. He studied sunflower spirals, pinecone lattices, and the branching systems of trees, discovering the underlying mathematical algorithms that make natural forms both beautiful and functional. These insights became the blueprint for his experiments with metal, bronze, and recycled industrial materials.

When Numbers Take Shape

Rathore’s work transforms abstract mathematical concepts into tangible art. Using geometry as a medium, he starts with paper prototypes, cutting and folding to perfect every detail before moving to large-scale production. Each sculpture reflects the elegance and rhythm of natural forms while showcasing human creativity. His monumental works include Guinness World Record honeycomb structures, a 150-foot installation at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, and a 15-foot squirrel sculpture in Ayodhya. Each piece is both a spectacle and a scientific statement, illustrating how biology, geometry, and art intersect.  Through workshops with students and young creators, he demonstrates that mathematics and art are never separate, helping others see the beauty in numbers and patterns.

Recognition and Achievements

Rathore’s innovative approach has earned him global recognition. He has received the Facebook India Award, holds a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest sculpture using photographs, and a CNN certificate for a video contribution. His art has been commissioned in India, Singapore, Canada, and Switzerland. Rathore’s story is a reminder that inspiration can be found in the simplest of things: a seashell, a leaf, or a spiral of paper.  From a child folding paper spirals to a Guinness World Record-holding sculptor, Rathore’s journey is proof of the power of curiosity, courage, and the beautiful dialogue between art and mathematics.