The prize was awarded for Devassia's poem Kristubhagavatam, a Mahakavyam, or very high prestige form of Indian epic poetry composed in Classical Sanskrit, but with its traditions transformed into a work of Christian poetry about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

[1] He has also received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for his overall contributions to Malayalam literature.

Mathu Asia of Olesha; Kavyas and Natakas from the celebrated scholar Sri.

Panthalam Krishna Warrier; Vedas, Upanishads, Champus, Dharma Sutras from Vidyabhooshana Sri.

Portraits of both Rabindranath Tagore and John Henry Newman were painted by him in 1932 and '33 and both are still preserved at St. Thomas College, Thrissur.