Akul Malik, an Indian trainee at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, discovered himself drawn into the world of Chinese martial arts through an unexpected path.
With some previous exposure to kung fu from an Indian monk who had actually trained in China, his interest in Chinese kung fu inspired him to pursue the art straight at the source.
In the summer season of 2024, he spent two months at Fawang Temple in Dengfeng, main Chinas Henan Province, studying kung fu from Master Miaodu.Initially a physical fitness lover, Akul viewed kung fu primarily as a physical discipline.
His time at the temple exposed a much deeper, more holistic practice.
He was struck by the emphasis on internal strength, mental resilience and the underlying approach of kung fu.
He also observed cultural parallels in between India and China, noting the shared heritage of Buddhism and the existence of conventional Indian martial arts such as Kalaripayattu.The extensive training, consisting of the tough horse stance exercises, pressed him beyond his viewed limits, developing both physical endurance and mental strength.
According to Akul, while exercises at the gym shape your body, kung fu focuses on the internal, which he thinks reinforces ones spirit.Even after going back to Shanghai, the lessons found out at Fawang Temple continue to have an impact on Akul, cultivating a sense of gratitude, discipline and appreciation for cultural connectivity.
Directed by Chen Hongyu and Zhong XiaFilmed by Duan Qingchen and Wang HongjieEdited by Zhong XiaCover created by Liu Shaozhen