Temple of Desire is a dance performance by Australian South Asian company Karma Dance, rooted in classical Bharatanātyam and centred on queer, trans and women's voices. The work reclaims pre-colonial South Asian histories of gender, sexuality and spiritual pleasure, positioning queerness as something deeply embedded in mythology, ritual and storytelling traditions that pre-date colonisation. Following sell-out seasons in Melbourne and Toronto, the production comes to the Sydney Opera House on 4–5 June 2026, with artistic direction by Govind Pillai.
Cast and Creative Team for Temple of Desire at Sydney Opera House
Creative Team
Govind Pillai
Artistic Director
Karma Dance
Production Company
News About Temple of Desire at Sydney Opera House
Karma Dance's TEMPLE OF DESIRE Will Bring Queer South Asian Stories to Sydney Opera House
April 16, 2026 Karma Dance will present TEMPLE OF DESIRE at the Sydney Opera House, a Bharatanātyam-rooted work reclaiming pre-colonial South Asian histories of gender and sexuality following sell-out seasons in Melbourne and Toronto.About the Theatre
Sydney Opera House Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
What shows are coming up next at Sydney Opera House?
Australian Festival of Arts and Music (07/25/26-07/25/26)
A World in Love (07/27/26-07/27/26)
The Drover's Wife (08/01/26-08/31/26)
Macbeth (11/18/26-12/06/26)
A World in Love (07/27/26-07/27/26)
The Drover's Wife (08/01/26-08/31/26)
Macbeth (11/18/26-12/06/26)
What shows have played recently at Sydney Opera House?
Pay No Attention (07/04/26-07/11/26)
Izzard: The Tragedy of Hamlet (06/09/26-06/21/26)
ChorusOz Aida (06/07/26-06/07/26)
Sheltering (06/03/26-06/13/26)
Julius Caesar (03/07/26-04/05/26)
Opera Up Late (02/21/26-02/21/26)
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience - Sydney (02/16/26-02/21/26)
Songs of the Bulbul (01/28/26-01/31/26)
RENT (09/27/25-11/01/25)
The 39 Steps (08/08/25-08/30/25)
Izzard: The Tragedy of Hamlet (06/09/26-06/21/26)
ChorusOz Aida (06/07/26-06/07/26)
Sheltering (06/03/26-06/13/26)
Julius Caesar (03/07/26-04/05/26)
Opera Up Late (02/21/26-02/21/26)
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience - Sydney (02/16/26-02/21/26)
Songs of the Bulbul (01/28/26-01/31/26)
RENT (09/27/25-11/01/25)
The 39 Steps (08/08/25-08/30/25)
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