On a cool morning in Manipur’s Noney district, you might hear the sound of leaves rustling, distant footsteps on gravel, or the low hum of a generator. But listen more closely, and you may catch something else — a melody rising gently through the hills. A guitar riff. A piano note. A voice learning to hold a tune.
This is not the sound of silence breaking. It is the sound of children healing.
Across these remote, conflict-affected hills, life has never been easy. Stories of displacement, fear, and deep uncertainty hang in the air. But inside the classrooms of Paangkriang Friendship Academy, another story is taking shape. One of friendship, rhythm, and hope.
Advertisement
Here, a group of young students between the ages of 13 and 17, many from tribal communities and economically disadvantaged homes, have come together to form something remarkable: The Friendship Band.
A school on a hill, a band in the making
Paangkriang Friendship Academy stands tucked away in a corner of Northeast India that rarely finds space in national headlines. Reaching the school often means walking uphill—both literally and metaphorically. Most of the students here come from remote tribal villages, and few have ever had access to the kind of resources or opportunities that urban students might take for granted.
But in 2022, something began to shift. A few students, curious and tentative, began gathering around guitars and a keyboard. They didn’t have formal training or stage experience. What they had was a desire to learn — and a school that believed in giving them space to do so.
Siam Piate from Sunbird Trust, the non-profit organisation that supports the school, remembers those early days well. “In the beginning, only a handful knew how to play instruments,” he says. “But as they practised together, their confidence grew, and the idea of forming a band began to feel real.”
It wasn’t long before this spark of interest turned into something bigger.
A gift that changed everything
The turning point came when Mr Joseph Gomes, Director at Furtados Music, a musical instruments retailer, visited Ijeirong, a remote village in Manipur. Invited by the founder of Sunbird Trust to witness their work on the ground, Gomes spent time at the school, meeting students and hearing their voices — unpolished but full of potential.
Advertisement
He was deeply moved.
The children had a simple wish: to learn music, if only they had the instruments. Gomes didn’t just offer a few. He helped establish one of the first music academies of its kind in a school in Northeast India. Guitars, keyboards, drums — all the essentials arrived, opening a world that had previously been out of reach.
From that point, The Friendship Band began to take root — not as a polished, picture-perfect ensemble, but as a group of young learners discovering rhythm, confidence, and connection through music.
How love for music grew into a school band
Unlike many school bands, there were no auditions, no uniforms, and no set line-up. The Friendship Band grew from shared curiosity and the joy of making music together. Some students started with no experience at all. Others taught themselves by watching and listening.
Since it began in 2022, 17 students have been part of the band — learning instruments, composing songs, and performing together.
Siam, who has guided the students closely, explains that in many parts of Northeast India, children often grow up surrounded by music — through church choirs, traditional gatherings, and community celebrations. “Most kids here are musically inclined,” he says. “It’s part of our roots.”
Advertisement
This natural connection helped the students pick up instruments quickly. As their skills grew, so did their confidence. They began performing in school events and community gatherings, gradually inspiring others to join in.
What makes this band even more unique is how it evolves. Older students graduate. Younger ones step in. The line-up changes, but the music carries on. Between homework and harmonies, these students are learning more than just how to play — they are learning how to lead, adapt, and grow.
Songs that speak for a generation
Their first original composition, Never Give Up, captures exactly what its name promises. Written by Siam, the song speaks directly to the insecurities many rural students wrestle with — feeling left behind, doubting their worth, believing they’re somehow lesser than children from the towns.
“Many kids here believe the children from town are smarter or better,” Siam shares. “The song tells them — if you keep trying and never give up, nothing can stop you from flying high.”
For Diana, the band’s pianist, the message is deeply personal. “Whenever I play that song, it gives me strength,” she says. “It’s for all those students who feel like giving up, who have walked away from school because they lost hope. This song is for them—to remind them to keep going.”
The band’s name, too, carries a quiet power. ‘The Friendship Band’ reflects the school’s ethos, and Sunbird Trust’s vision of Peace Through Education. At Paangkriang Friendship Academy, students from diverse tribes study and play side by side, building bonds that defy the divisions around them. In this spirit of unity, the music was born.
Advertisement
Music born in the midst of conflict
Among the songs composed by the band, one that stands out for its raw emotion is Smile. Written by Siam during a time of intense conflict in Manipur, the song reflects not just political unrest — but personal pain.
“When I wrote Smile, Manipur was in the midst of conflict. I couldn’t even return home,” he shares. “In that chaos, I asked myself: Am I truly happy? Can I still smile when everything seems to fall apart? The answer was no, but then I realised that life is short and fragile. We only have one chance to live it. Why carry hatred or grudges when instead, we can choose love and forgiveness?”
The song asks a disarming question: Are we the reason someone smiles, or the cause of their pain?
Vocalist Gainimei holds the song close to his heart. “Whenever despair pulls me under, that song pushes me to rise, to keep smiling, to keep hoping,” he says.
For the students of The Friendship Band, music is not just performance. It is a mirror to what they are feeling — and a path through it.
Bidding our juniors a rock farewell
As the band’s older members prepared to graduate, they decided to leave something behind—a song that could speak louder than words. The result was Stay Strong, their first original rock composition.
Advertisement
“We’ve always jammed to metal during practice,” says Luriang, the band’s drummer. “This time, we created our own — and it felt incredible.”
With its raw energy and heavy riffs, the song carries a message meant for those who will follow. It’s a reminder to hold your ground, keep going, and believe in your strength — even when things feel uncertain.
“As we prepare to leave school, this song is our message to the juniors: no matter what comes your way, keep your head up and stay strong,” Luriang adds.
Stay Strong marks both an ending and a beginning. It’s the seniors’ way of passing on courage, telling the next batch of students: the music is yours now. Keep it alive.
Turning the volume up on hope
For many of the students, The Friendship Band marks their first step towards a dream. It’s a space where confidence grows, friendships deepen, and self-belief takes shape.
“Playing music is my dream, and I love it. I hope that one day I become a great musician, and this band is my first step,” says Luriang, the drummer.
Their recent performance at The Voice Longmai—one of the biggest events in Noney district—was a proud moment. It wasn’t only about being on stage. It was about being seen. For Lantip, the guitarist, it boosted his confidence. For Abhija, another guitarist, their daily after-school jam sessions began to feel more meaningful. “Playing together has become easier—and more fun—because we keep learning from each other,” he says.
In a corner of the country where dreams often get lost before they begin, these students are holding on to theirs — with both hands and all their heart.
The band gave them more than music. It gave them the courage to stand up, the power to be seen, and the belief that their voices matter.
In the hills of Manipur — where conflict has taken so much — these children are choosing to create. Every time they pick up an instrument, they’re refusing to be defined by fear. They’re building something stronger than silence.
And they are not done yet.
