The humble yaksha Prem Chandra Guha, who was found guilty of sleeping while working, was sent as punishment to India. He must create a compelling history of his exiled country while he is here. On the first day of India's freedom, Prem Chandra arrives in the country, and fate leads him to Netarhat, a small town close to the Chhota Nagpur woods. Here he meets Mary, a sassy tribal girl from the adjacent Santhal village, and Manhoos, an orphaned street kid who makes a fortune by fixing cars. Prem Chandra takes on the appearance of an ordinary sparrow and becomes an unobtrusive watcher, tracking Manhoos and Mary's fortunes as they go to Calcutta.