Kidung is a form of Old Javanese poetry. They differ from kakawin in that they use Javanese meters instead of imported Sanskrit ones, and mostly appeared later. The subject matter is based on historical events. Like kakawin, they later became an important source of inspiration for pictorial art. They are also distinguished from the , which, though similar in form, are adapted from Indian fables. Many kakawin were also adapted into kidung form. One group of kidung is based on the Panji (king) romance.