Literature. Afghanistan has also been used as a literary language since the 16th century. Under the influence of Persian literature, poetry flourished in the 17th century, the most important poet being Koeshhal Khan (1613-91). Many theological and romantic works have been translated from Arabic, Persian and Hindustani. The national anthem, performed by itinerant singers, enjoys great popularity and has a strong national character. Visual arts. In the first centuries AD, a Buddhist art developed from the many monasteries in the Northwest Indies. Initially, this was a mixture of Greco-Roman and Indian influences, which adapted to the Buddhist form of religion. For a time there were also Persian influences ( Sasanids, 3rd century) but later these were supplanted by Indies. Features of Buddhist art were: the grouping of shrines and spaces around a stupa; because of the scarcity of stone, a lot of wood was used and stone was only used as cladding; decorations were painted or carved; the paintings (frescoes) are executed in lively colours. Many shrines were also carved into rock. Music. Little is known about this. The instruments were of Turkish and Persian origin. Strings were added to increase the richness of sound. Wandering song singers take part in all the festivities and sing dance songs that they accompany themselves. Well-known stringed instruments are the kemangeh, the sarinda and the delruba. Check neovideogames for Afghanistan in 2000.