Chennai Auction House Murray & Co Nears 100 Years of Unbroken Sunday Sales
Since February 10, 1927, Murray & Co has held Sunday auctions in Chennai (formerly Madras), a tradition that has continued almost without interruption for nearly a century. Founded by brothers A. Vedantam and S. Rajam, the auction house is now approaching its centenary in 2027.
Hemant Srivatsa, a partner at Murray & Co, explains the significance of this continuity: 'We are very proud of it. We have conducted Sunday auctions almost without fail since our inception. There were a few weeks during our relocation when we had to pause, and of course, the pandemic was the longest period we could not hold auctions. Other than that, we have kept the tradition going.'
The auction house has become a household name in Chennai, initially operating behind the iconic LIC building on Mount Road. After shifting locations, it now holds auctions at Gemini Towers near the Gemini Flyover. Srivatsa notes that the business has evolved over the decades, starting with real estate auctions before expanding into retail auctions of household goods and furniture, and later industrial auctions. 'There has always been a transition as the business adapted to changing times,' he says.
Within the retail segment, the categories have changed significantly. 'We sell far more electronic items today than when I joined the business in 1992. The market has evolved, and so have the items,' Srivatsa adds.
Regarding online auctions, Srivatsa states: 'Our industrial auctions are already completely online. Our retail auctions have not fully transitioned yet, though our online portal is currently being developed. Even after it is launched, we want to continue our physical auctions because they have a charm of their own that no technology can replace.'
When asked about a particularly memorable transaction, Srivatsa declines to single one out: 'Every single item is memorable. Every transaction is special, not just for us, but for the person who entrusted it to us and, hopefully, for the person who eventually bought it.'
Plans for the centenary are still being developed. 'Over the next few months, we will come up with concrete ideas to celebrate the centenary,' Srivatsa says.
As Murray & Co looks forward to its hundredth year, its greatest achievement is arguably not merely its longevity, but its ability to evolve without losing the essence of an auction: the people, the stories, and the bustle of bids. A tradition that has spanned nearly a century continues, one bid at a time.
