Parthan began as an engineer, but was drawn into the world of art in 1974 when he stumbled onto a book detailing the history of Western art. He became familiar with the movements of Impressionism, Expressionism, and so forth, and this new knowledge nourished his interest in painting. Parthan began to study the Indian mystical arts, exploring tantra, ritual arts, and Indian mythology. He also faced Western art influence. Experience: "Painting gave me self-worth," says Parthan. "In that pictorial space, I was king. I began to define myself through this act of painting: It was the only place where I could 'be'." Excited by the prospect of studying art, Parthan went to Goa and enrolled in a five-year course in fine arts. Parthan is especially interested in the influence of technology on religious beliefs, the implications of genetic engineering, and the possibilities of post-humanism