KHALVONTAWI - Voice of the Voiceless from Northeast India: Travancore

Devasahayam: A MARTYR of FAITH and COURAGE in SOUTH INDIA

DEVASAHAYAM, born as Nilakanta Pillai on 23 April 1712, in the village of Nattalam in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, came from a Hindu-Brahmin family. He served in the army of the king of Travancore and was a respected figure in his community.

In 1745, Devasahayam made the life-changing decision to convert to Christianity. On May 14 of that year, he was baptized at the Catholic church in Vadakkankulam village (now in Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu) by Jesuit priest Father R. Bouttari Italus. After his baptism, he adopted the name “Lazarus” or “Devasahayam” (Malayalam), which means “God is my help”.

Despite facing significant opposition from his family and the local rulers, Devasahayam remained steadfast in his new faith. He worked tirelessly to spread the Gospel and advocated for the rights and dignity of lower-caste individuals, challenging the rigid caste system of the time. His efforts to promote social equality and Christianity earned him both admiration and enemies. In 1752, his bold stance led to his arrest by the king’s forces. He was tortured, including being forced to march barefoot to the capital, before being executed on 14 January 1752. Devasahayam was shot with arrows, a brutal execution that marked him as a martyr for his faith.

Despite his controversial decision to convert, Devasahayam’s life became a powerful testament to the rejection of the caste system and the embrace of equality. In 2012, he was beatified by the Catholic Church (Vatican), and in 2022, he was canonized as a Saint, further cementing his legacy as a pillar of Christianity in South India.

Devasahayam, became the first canonized Indian layman, which marked a significant moment in Indian Christian history, highlighting his courage and dedication to his faith despite facing intense opposition.

Here are some pictures you may not find easily. Take a look!

HOLY WATER: Drinking to Experience or Witness Miracles

Devasahayam's sandal

His unwavering commitment to Christianity and social justice turned him into a symbol of faith

and courage. His death solidified his legacy, which continues to inspire many today.

By:-

Bruce K. Thangkhal

IFE-KKD | 16.10.2024

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Vethamonickam: The Pioneer of Christianity in Travancore

MAHARASAN VETHAMONICKAM, born in 1763 in the village of Mylaudy in Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari district, is remembered as the first Christian convert in Travancore.

Raised in a Hindu family, his life changed dramatically when he chose to embrace Christianity -- a decision that shaped not only his own path but also left a lasting impact on Tamil Nadu’s religious landscape. Vethamonickam’s baptism in 1799, influenced by the work of missionary William Tobias Ringeltaube, marked a major turning point in his life.

Some sources mention his first baptism by Jesuit missionary Fr. Giovanni Battista Buttari on May 14, 1745, suggesting early Christian influences in his family. After his baptism, Vethamonickam dedicated himself to sharing the Gospel, first within his family and village, then across Tamil Nadu. His mission work laid the foundation for early Christian communities in a traditionally Hindu region, leaving a legacy that endures in Tamil Christianity today. He passed away in 1827, resting in the land he served, his work continuing to inspire generations.

Travancore, once a historic princely state in southwestern India, is now part of Kerala. Initially part of the ancient Kerala (Chera) kingdom, it became an important trading region. In the 11th century, it came under the Chola empire, and in the 16th century, it was held by the Vijayanagar empire. By the mid-18th century, Travancore became an independent state and allied with the British. In 1956, it joined with Cochin to form Kerala, known today for its high literacy rate and progressive history.

Had Vethamonickam not been born, this remarkable chapter in the history of Christianity in South India might never have been written. He laid the foundation for the spread of Christianity in South India.

This was my first time learning about this remarkable soul, and I felt truly fortunate to visit his tomb on 23 October 2024. There, we paid our respects and offered a prayer of thanksgiving for his extraordinary contributions and lasting impact.

Here are some photos of his tomb and the words he cherished...