Bringing South Asian storiesto a Western audience.

I turn South Asian literature into original works of dance theater — writing new narratives, weaving them through the source material, and building the music, movement, and theatrical world around them. Three decades of training in Kathak and Odissi are part of the vocabulary I bring to the stage.

Select productions

Five dancers in red skirts and gold-embroidered bodices mid-turn on a warmly lit stage, skirts flared wide. Behind them a painted set of pale stone arches, with more performers standing at the edges.

House of Joy

Written by Madhuri Shekar

Co-directed & choreographed by Mo Bhattacharya

Seattle Public Theater · 2025

Gregory Awards · 8 wins · 15 nominations

Bhattacharya’s choreography is the heart of the show.

— BroadwayWorld

Dancers in slate-blue tunics and loose trousers with red sashes, turning barefoot on a bare stage with arms raised. Two men in red military coats with gold braid close in from either side, one carrying a sword. Empty theatre seats and stage lights are visible behind them.

Devi

Based on Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s Debi Chaudhurani

Conceived, written, & directed by Mo Bhattacharya

Union Arts Theater · 2019

Gregory Awards · 1 nomination

A story about a rebel, written by a rebel for rebellious times.

— Seattle Times

Six dancers in blue-and-silver tunics, gold trousers and white turbans hold a tightly grouped formation on a dimly lit stage; one kneels at the center while the others frame her.

Chitrangada

Based on Tagore’s Chitrangada

Reimagined & directed by Mo Bhattacharya

Union Arts Theater · 2017

Gregory Awards · 1 win · 3 nominations

A rare opportunity to see one of [Tagore’s] theatrical works presented in Seattle.

— Seattle Times

Other works for the stage

  • Iti Mrinal — After Tagore’s Streer Patra
  • Yours Mallika — Gurney’s Love Letters and Delibes’ Lakmé, braided into dance theater
  • Kingdom of Cards — After Tagore’s Tasher Desh

and many more