> I am interested in finding out the origins of these two to the
> extent we have in print. How did the transition took place from
> Kanyasulkam to Varakatnam ? What are the best known works ( books, plays
> and movies) on Varakatnam.
As far as I know kanyaasulkam was a mostly localized phenomenon of
the "Kalinga" or Northeastern region, that too among small communities
such as the Brahmins. While I have no idea about the marriage customs
of AP of that period, I am quite sure they must have quite a lot
of variation. So, I am not sure that there was any well-defined
transition from kanyaasulkam to varakatnam in a general sense.
It is just that (most likely) due to changes in the formulation
and enforcement of civil laws, and due to improved social
consciousness, extreme customs like the kanyaasulkam depicted in
the eponymous play died away over time.
For a play on varakatnam of that or slightly later period, see
"vara vikrayamu". I don't recall the author at the moment.
My personal views.
Bapa Rao