This year, the committee ruled that each group must also present a performing art to accompany its ogoh-ogoh. "Having a beautifully constructed ogoh-ogoh is not enough. Now, the group should also have an aesthetic dance drama narrating the story of the ogoh-ogoh," he added. This move had apparently taken ogoh-ogoh to a new level of creativity. Most of the participating groups had brought with them a dance drama troupe and supporting casts of dozens of children. "Well, we have to make the scene as authentic and moving as possible," an elder of Banjar (traditional neighborhood organization) Anggarkasih, Sanur, said. "The rule also generates stronger support and wider participation from the other elements of the banjar, such as from our traditional dance and children's associations," he added. The young people of the banjar had spent over Rp 27 million (over US$2,700) to construct a stunning ogoh-ogoh of a demonic king fighting a courageous eagle over a beautiful princess. It was an episode taken from the great epic the Ramayana, when the heroic Jatayu tried to save Sita from the claws of Rawana. The story had a tragic end; Rawana made away with Sita after hacking Jatayu's wings. The other participants took inspiration from various sources; the other great Hindu epic the Mahabharata, esoteric teachings of Siwa Tattwa and the folk story of Maling Maguna.

"The new rule also gives us a wider opportunity to participate in this art form. Previously, the construction and the parade of ogoh-ogoh were exclusively a boys' affair," a dancer, Sekartini said.