Following Devasahayam’s passing, his wife, Gnanappu Ammaiyar, honored his guidance by remaining in Vadakkankulam. For fourteen years, she devotedly continued the mission he left behind. Despite suggestions to live with her relatives, she chose to minister in a Christ-like manner, earning deep reverence from the Vadakkankulam community, who have cherished her for generations as a mother figure to the Christian community. Known for her holy life, Gnanappu Ammaiyar passed away in 1766, and her tomb rests on the left side of the Matha Church in Vadakkankulam.
Devasahayam’s turban from his time as a palace officer and the manuscript chronicling his life are preserved at the Holy Family Church in Vadakkankulam. His sword, once kept in a small church near his pre-Christian place of worship in Nattalam, was moved during the canonization process. His birthplace home was renovated into a museum displaying pictures of his life and items from his era, where the sword is now housed. To this day, countless pilgrims visit this site daily.
Devasahayam’s younger sister, Lakshmikutty, lived unmarried with their mother, Devaki Amma. Family and villagers spoke of Devasahayam’s conversion, punishment, and death, attributing it to fate. Both mother and daughter endured profound grief after his passing. Lakshmikutty passed away in January 1754, followed by Devaki Amma the next year. This oral history was shared by Vijayammai, an 85-year-old descendant, during a field study. She traces her lineage nine generations back to Devasahayam’s uncle, Raman Pillai, recounting stories passed down by her grandmother.
Additionally, Devasahayam’s aunt, Bhagwati Amma, migrated to Kottayam with her daughters, embracing Christianity. Her descendants have lived in Kerala for two generations, disconnected from their original home. Vijayammai, a ninth-generation member of Devasahayam Pillai’s family, notes that only Raman Pillai’s heirs have upheld the religious tradition in the Kanyakumari district. She preserves an old Bible with a note in English, stating it was gifted to Raman Pillai by an American named Paul, a cherished relic still kept in her home.
