[4] Marya has said her sense of justice was awakened in childhood as she witnessed class differences in India, and learned about colonization and genocide perpetrated against Native Americans in the United States.

[5] She is involved in numerous organizations working at the intersection of social justice and health, including the Do No Harm Coalition[6] and Deep Medicine Circle.

[17] Marya said that she was suspended because of her "support for the liberation of Palestinians who are suffering genocide", and maintained she was the victim of a targeted harassment campaign by pro-Israel groups.

[19] Marya is the composer and front-woman of the band Rupa & the April Fishes[20] and was a lead plaintiff in the lawsuit that brought the song "Happy Birthday to You" back to the public domain.

[23] In "Este Mundo," Rupa's lyrics explore themes of longing, loss, and love, maintaining a thoughtful and intimate perspective.