[8] Born in Panayam parambil, East Nadakkavu, Calicut, Nivas graduated from the St. Joseph's College, Devagiri and went on to do a diploma in motion picture photography from the Institute of Film Technology, Adyar, Madras.
He apprenticed under Ashok Kumar in films such as Mappusakshi (1972), Chembarathi (1972) and Babu Nanthankode's Dhakam(1972) Swapnam (1973).
He went on to work with the director in films such as Kizhake Pogum Rail (1978), Sigappu Rojakkal (1978), Solva Sawan (1978) and Puthiya Vaarpugal (1979).
He also photographed C. V. Sridhar's Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu and its Telugu remake, Vayasu Pilichindi (1978).
In 1978, he won the Nandi Award for Best Cinematographer the Telugu film, Nimajjanam.