'I like buskers, no matter what kind of music they play, because the sound of the music in the middle of the crowd keeps me in a good mood,' said Sofia Fernandez Monge, a communications masters student and a regular commuter.

Aspiring buskers attend an audition. A busker can perform only in a slot lasting two hours, with 14 slots per week.

In order to perform at one of the stations, a busker has to call an automated telephone number Tuesday mornings almost two weeks in advance. It's only the most patient and also the luckier ones who succeed as almost 300 licensed buskers, including a few women, vie for a place.

The Musicians Union, which represents all sectors of the music business, is supporting these cultural ambassadors of the tube network in Central London.

According to Jo Laverty of Musicians Union, 'The negotiations with the London Underground to improve the conditions of the buskers are ongoing.'

So how does a singer survive on just being a busker in these troubled times? Aruni said, 'I don't make that much money, but still I do make both ends meet.'

The star attraction of his performance is Henry, his robotic vacuum cleaner which plays the saxophone! Tourists were seen vying with one another to click a picture with Henry and Aruni, while he was belting out a repertoire of his compositions besides the ever green jazz hits of Acker Bilk like 'Stranger on the Shore'.

Busking was earlier sponsored by beer brand Carling, Capital FM and the London Paper; currently it's being managed by the TfL (Transport for London) Investment Programme.

'We are looking to make improvements to our busker information and other expansions to the scheme. Any changes to the operation of the scheme will depend on development funds being available and are currently in discussions with a number of parties,' said Glenn Reffin, revenue development manager of London Underground.

(Cynthia Chandran can be contacted on cynthiachandran@gmail.com)