Born in 1969 in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, Kalyan Joshi comes from a lineage of Phad painters that dates back to the 14th century. Phad paintings are large horizontal paintings that portray the epic lives of local folk heroes and demi gods in Rajasthan. These paintings have the task of representing a complex folk epic narrative and form a visual backdrop to all night storytelling performances. Phad paintings are traditionally about 5 feet wide and 15 feet long to accommodate the numerous episodes of the depicted hero-god, Pabuji. Kalyan Joshi started painting from the age of 8 with his father Shri Lal Joshi. In addition to continuing in the traditional style of Phad painting, he experiments with new stories, contemporary styles and line drawing and is the founder of the Ankan Artist Group. He regularly conducts workshops in schools across India and actively runs Chitrashala, an institute for training in Phad painting started by his late father more than fifty years ago.

Kalyan Joshi has participated in a number of exhibitions in India and abroad, such as Paramparik Karigar, Mumbai, Indira Gandhi National Center for Arts, New Delhi, Fine Arts College, Baroda, The School of Art and Design , New York, The India Festival, Dubai and the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco. He has won the National Award in 2006 and 2010.