Temple of Desire (Dance-Theatre)

Temple of Desire is a bold and visually stunning dance-theatre production by Melbourne-based Karma Dance Inc, directed and choreographed by Govind Pillai. An ensemble of 16 classically trained Bharatanatyam dancers draws on the ancient form to conjure a pre-colonial world where the divine and the sensual meet, asking how pleasure and joy (kama) can become a path to spiritual liberation (moksha). The result is subversive, sumptuous and unapologetically bold, weaving contemporary feminist and modern narratives through classical Indian dance and taking in cultural loss, post-colonial trauma, identity and liberation.

The production has toured award-winning, sold-out seasons in Melbourne and Toronto, winning the Director's Choice Award at Melbourne Fringe and Best Visual/Digital Design at the Green Room Awards. Set design is by Jonathan Fae and lighting by Max Woods.

This is a one-night season at the Clocktower Centre in Moonee Ponds on Friday 6 November 2026 at 7.30pm. The show runs 90 minutes with no interval and is followed by a post-show party with DJ entertainment. Mature themes; recommended for ages 16 and over, and the venue requires under-15s to be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets are $59 full price, $55 concession, $52 for under-30s, $53.10 for Centre Stage members and $50.15 for Director's Circle members, with $29 MobTix also available. Non-members are charged a $4 booking fee per transaction. Booking is through the Clocktower Centre box office at tickets.clocktowercentre.com.au.