New Delhi, Jul 7 (IANS): He detests the idea of calling dance "frivolous" and feels the term item number sounds disrespectful. Nevertheless, ace choreographer Shiamak Davar believes the respect for professional dancers has increased by several notches over the years.

"People think of dancing as very frivolous and that is what hurts me. People call dance songs as item numbers. What is an item number? There is no such thing as item number! It is important that dance is given respect and that is what I am doing since all these years," Shiamak told IANS.

He was present at the IBN7 "Guru Shishya Awards" with his student Aneesha, who is also the manager of his dance school Shiamak Davar Dance Company, earlier this week.

Shiamak feels content about being able to spread the magic of dance among people through his institute, branches of which are situated across the country.

"One of my biggest happiness is that I have taught India to dance. I feel very happy. More important is that my girls are given respect now. They are not considered cheap," said the dance guru, who has made actresses like Karisma Kapur, Rani Mukerji and Aishwarya Rai groove his way.

"I feel very bad when my boys who dance are called effeminate and girls are called bad girls because they can dance. I am very glad my students have pushed the limit and earned respectability," he added.

The 50-year-old, who has been associated with showbiz since 1996, considers "Shahid Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan and Govinda" as Bollywood's best dancers. But he feels Indian actors should devote more time to dance.

"They (actors) should give more time to dance, but they are so busy caught up with their schedule, they can't really do it," he said.

While choreographer Remo D'Souza is directing a dance-based film "ABCD - AnyBody Can Dance", Shiamak doesn't rule out a similar possibility.

"Well I have been approached many times to do a film, may be in the future," he said.