Murray & Co and its Sunday auction: the famous ‘hammer’ of Madras nears the century mark
Since February 10, 1927, the hammer at the auction house Murray & Co has not had a break except for two seasons: for a few weeks during a relocation to a new address and then during the pandemic. The operational space might have changed a few times, but its place in people’s mindspace has not. Hemant Srivatsa, partner, Murray & Co, on the long journey of the enterprise, beginning with real estate…
Murray & Co, a renowned auction house in Madras (now Chennai), has been conducting Sunday auctions nearly without fail for nearly a century, since its inception on February 10, 1927. Founded by brothers A. Vedantam and S. Rajam, the firm has maintained its tradition of auctions, pausing only due to relocation and the pandemic. Hemant Srivatsa, a partner at Murray & Co., attributes the company's success to its unyielding commitment to the art of auctioning.
Over the years, the business has expanded from real estate to retail and industrial auctions, adapting to changing market trends. Today, the auction house sells a wide range of items, with a greater emphasis on electronic goods. While online auctions are gaining popularity, Murray & Co. continues to hold physical auctions, cherishing the unique atmosphere they provide.
The company is currently developing an online portal for retail auctions and plans to celebrate its centenary in the coming months. For Hemant, every transaction at Murray & Co. holds sentimental value, as they are not only important for the auction house but also for the people involved in the process. With its unwavering dedication to preserving the essence of auctions, Murray & Co. looks forward to its hundredth year, a testament to the power of tradition in an ever-changing world.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
