The problem with Western philosophy is that they view everything as black or what.
Ravana and Balli were great kings and had excellent qualities which needed to be admired. What is also noted is that their downfall was needed because of the adharma they did in their life.
Because they were so powerful, it needed god to come to down and handle them. They were above law, above normal beings power to bring them.
Onam has been twisted by the Kerala commies and other forces to suit their agenda.
Greatness of Kings is measured by their adherence to Dharma and the protection of Dharma in their Rule.
So by those standards, Ravan and Bali were NOT great kings.
You can admire their individual drive and strength, but they are certainly no role model.
As per the puran, Indra was cursed by Rishi Durvasa to loose his kingdom and when that curse took effect, The Asura king Maha Bali seized the opportunity to declare war on Indra.
That is why the Amrut Manthan took place so that the limited number of Deva's could have immortality to face the huge Asura army. This churning however released the poison Halahala into the world. If Lord Shiva had not swallowed it, it would have destroyed entire Humanity.
Asura Maha Bali's greed almost cost us this life.
Its only during the time of the British, who declared "asura' to be "dravidians" that the idea of Bali being a Mallu king took root. Before that no body worshipped Maha Bali, they all worshipped Maha Vishnu
Even in north India, the third day of Diwali is celebrated as "Bali Pratipada", the day to welcome Bali back to the world for one day.
But now it looks like the Mallu's are taking it to a whole new level after being instigated by the Communist and christian propaganda. Its nauseating to watch the degradation of Kerala hindu society.
my personal likes and dislikes or comments in no way represent Muslim world. Personally I follow Vishnugupta would prefer his teaching over any Muslim political adviser . Similarly if Mahabali has more successes which got brahmin gods jealous then surely Bali has more brain and power
Rishi Dhurvasa was born to Rishi Atri and his wife Anasuya after she worshiped all the three gods Brahma, vishna and shiva. Each of them grated her a boon to have a son as illustrius as them and who would have their trait.
So she gave birth to Soma due to Brahma's blessing, Dattatreya due to Vishnu's blessing and Dhurvasa due to Shiva's boon and born with Shiva's rage and temper.
There are many stories in Hinduism about the short temper of Rishi Dhurvasa, and one particular story tells about Rishi Dhurvasa encountering King Indra along with a retinue of other Devas. Rishi Dhurvasa took off his flower garland and threw it at Indra who caught it and placed it on the top of his elephant.
The elephant Airavat however was annoyed by the bees buzzing around the flowers and threw the garland to the ground. This enraged Durvasa who cursed Indra that he too will fall from grace the same way the garland fell to the ground.
Its is soon after this curse came into effect that Indra and the gods lost their strength and King Maha Bali decided to take advantage of that curse and attacked Indra.
So it was more the effect of Dhurvasa's curse than Maha Bali's own genius that helped him gain military success.