Riyaz Khemu was born in 1971 in Thrissur, Kerala.

He completed his B.F.A. and M.F.A. from Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai in 1997 and 1999.

He has held several solo shows in India and overseas.

He is a recipient of the K.K. Hebbar Foundation Society Scholarship 1997-1999; Bombay Art Society Award 1996 and Maharashtra State Art Prize 1995.

His works can be found in numerous private and corporate collections.

Rivas lives and works in Mumbai.