Janapada tells the story of folk singer Chandranna, who feels that singing and entertaining people is better than any recognition from the government. His singing attracts many people including a city-bred girl who decides to stay in the village to be close to him. Meanwhile, Chandranna receives an award from the government, which makes him a target of envy. The village head, priest and a rival singer plot to defame the singer by spreading rumours about him. They even impose a ban on the singer to keep him away from the public.