Riyas Komu, born in Kerala in 1971, moved to Mumbai in 1992 to study literature but later pursued Fine Art, earning degrees from the Sir J. J. School of Art. Known for his politically charged work across various media, Komu believes his art should engage viewers with protest symbols and social commentary. Influenced by his father's political leanings and his own experiences in Mumbai, his work highlights the city's paradoxes of glamour and poverty, reflecting both hope and dejection. Komu's art aims to "ring alarm bells" about urban issues, blending compassion and cynicism.